In an era where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, the widespread use of smartphones among children has raised serious concerns about its impact on their development.
As parents, we are often tempted to hand over these devices to our little ones, believing they provide entertainment and educational benefits.
However, the reality paints a much darker picture, one where our children’s access to smartphones is hindering their social, emotional and cognitive growth.
The research is clear: the constant exposure to smartphones and social media during the critical developmental years can have devastating consequences.
Recent research found that children who spend more time on digital devices are more likely to exhibit higher levels of depression, anxiety and social isolation.
This is because smartphones and social media platforms are designed to be highly addictive, capturing our children’s attention and keeping them glued to the screen for hours on end.
Parents of elementary school-aged children were advised against giving their kids smartphones by one of the UK’s largest mobile operators, EE.
The company suggested that parents should instead provide their children with “devices with limited capabilities” — ones that allow them to call or text but do not grant access to social media or other potentially harmful online content.
EE’s guidance targeted children under the age of 11, as the company responded to increasing worries among parents about screen time, online safety, and the potential impact of digital device usage on their children’s well-being.
The initiative came amid growing concerns regarding how smartphones and unfiltered internet access could affect young minds.
According to EE, their advice aimed to help parents make more informed decisions about the kinds of devices they give to their children, ensuring that kids remain connected while minimising exposure to online risks.
This move by EE was seen as part of a broader effort to address the challenges that modern technology presents to families, especially as more children gain access to digital devices at a younger age.
“While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognise the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers,” Mat Sears, EE’s corporate affairs director, said in a statement.
“They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for under 11s, 11-13-year-olds and 13-16-year-olds, to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years,” he said.
EE also advised that smartphones used by children aged 11 to 13 should have parental controls enabled, family-sharing apps in place, and restricted access to social media.
Appropriate for children aged 13 to 16, but they advised that parents should use controls to “restrict children’s access to inappropriate sites, content, and platforms.” This recommendation came amid increasing concerns about the impact of smartphone use on young people.
One of the most influential voices on this issue has been Jonathan Haidt, whose best-seller, “The Anxious Generation”, brought global attention to the link between the rise of smartphones and the increase in mental health problems among children and teenagers.
Haidt’s book argued strongly for banning social media for anyone under 16 and advocated for phone-free schools as a way to protect young minds.
According to reports, these concerns have led some schools to take action. For example, Eton College, one of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools, implemented a policy to reduce students’ reliance on smartphones.
In July, “Business Insider” reported that Eton College banned smartphones for first-year students, opting instead to provide them with basic Nokia “brick” phones.
This move was part of a broader effort to encourage healthier habits and reduce the distractions and pressures associated with smartphones.
This is what happens to kids exposed to smartphones before an appropriate time:
Moreover, constant exposure to social media can have a detrimental impact on a child’s self-esteem and body image.
The curated and often unrealistic portrayals of their peers can lead to feelings of inadequacy, fuelling anxiety and depression. This can have long-lasting effects, as these negative self-perceptions can persist well into adulthood.
Children who have unfettered access to these devices are also at risk of encountering inappropriate content, such as violence, explicit material and cyberbullying.
This exposure can desensitise them to harmful behaviours and lead to the normalisation of unacceptable conduct.
Meanwhile, about a dozen high schools in south London have jointly introduced a smartphone ban that will affect more than 13 000 students.