One of the UK’s largest mobile network operators, EE, announced on Sunday new guidelines advising parents against giving smartphones to children under the age of 11. The recommendation comes amid increasing concerns from parents about the potential risks associated with young children having access to smartphones.
Recent data from the UK communications regulator revealed that about 25% of British children aged five to seven now own a smartphone. In response, EE suggests that children should be provided with “limited capability devices” that only allow texting and calling, rather than full-fledged smartphones.
Additionally, the new guidelines advise parents to use parental control features for teenagers under 16 and to restrict social media access for children under 13. This move reflects a growing sentiment among UK parents who are reconsidering the practice of giving children smartphones when they transition from primary to secondary school at age 11.
While many parents initially provide smartphones to children for safety reasons, such as in case of emergencies while commuting to or from school, there is growing concern about the potential exposure to online predators, cyberbullying, social pressure, and inappropriate content.
Mat Sears, EE’s corporate affairs director, explained the rationale behind the new guidelines: “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognize the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers. They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for under 11s, 11 to 13-year-olds, and 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years.”
US author Jonathan Haidt, who argues in his book “The Anxious Generation” that smartphones have significantly impacted children’s mental health, has called on parents to collectively set boundaries on smartphone access. “These things are hard to do as one parent. But if we all do it together — if even half of us do it together — then it becomes much easier for our kids,” Haidt said earlier this year. He advocates for no smartphones before the age of 14 and no social media access before the age of 16.