LONDON:
One of Britain’s biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it is going to issue a warning to parents against giving smartphones to children under the age of 11.
The new guidance comes after growing concern from parents about the potential pitfalls of smartphone access for young people.
A report this March by the communications regulator in Britain found that about a quarter of five- to seven-year-olds were now using such devices.
New Guidelines
EE is set to publish new guidelines that “Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, says UK mobile phone firm” state children should only have phones with “limited capability devices” meaning, it will let users text and ring.
The guidelines include advice on setting up parental control for under-16s teens and restrictions of social media access to the under 13s.
UK parents are fighting back against the trend of presenting children with one when they move to secondary school at 11.
While the phones are generally accepted as necessary for safety in transit to and from school, parents worry they now also provide an opening for online predators, cyberbullying and social pressure as well exposure to harmful content.
Mat Sears, EE director of corporate affairs
He said: “Technology and connectivity can be a force for good but we understand the challenges far from universal smartphones pose to parents and carers.
They need advice which is why we are publishing new guidelines for under 11s, 11–13 and right up to age of 16 so that what ever their children’s changing needs parents will soon have the information they need to help them make informed choices through school years.
American writer Jonathan Haidt — who published a book last year, The Anxious Generation, believed that smartphones are changing the brains of children—urged all parents to tackle smartphone use ‘collectively’ in their social groups so not owning one becomes like “not getting your kid a black hat.”
Earlier in the year, he said children’s “breaking our heart” by saying they were always excluded from their peer group because Image caption They belong to a lost tribe gebrowsing lifestyle guide generation smartwatch-years endlessly debate whether slog net good hunched figures bows screens, kids plugged.Image copyright Getty Images Social Networks holds evidence ‘removed harmful content’ Petrol cars broken beyond repair rise age driver: what do?
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,” he added.