With smartphones dominating the digital scene, one of the UK's most prominent mobile network providers, EE, is stepping up to advise parents about children's smartphone usage. The company is firmly recommending against providing smartphones to children under the age of 11, citing increasing concerns about the negative impacts associated with smartphone access on young users' mental health and behavior.
Announced as the new school year approaches, this guidance aims to recalibrate parental expectations about mobile devices for their children. Instead of handing out smartphones, EE suggests parents opt for "limited capability devices," often referred to as brick or "dumb" phones, which allow children to send texts and make calls without the distractions and risks of internet connectivity or access to social media apps like TikTok and YouTube.
Mat Sears, EE’s corporate affairs director, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Under-11s we feel should not be provided access to smartphones. They don’t need the usage of a smartphone and, actually, feature phones are more suitable.” This perspective is not just about limiting access but about fostering what EE calls "digital wellbeing" for young children.
The abrupt increase in children owning smartphones has raised alarms among parents and educators alike. According to recent data from the UK communications regulator Ofcom, nearly one-quarter of children aged five to seven now possess their own smartphone. The figure skyrockets by age 11, where close to 90% of children are likely to have one.
The recommendations also come against the backdrop of notable findings by Ofcom, which reveal alarming trends about children's online behavior. For example, more than half of children under 13 are using social media, even though most platforms have minimum age requirements of 13. A substantial portion, roughly 60%, of children aged eight to 12 reportedly have their own social media profiles, raising concerns about their exposure to potentially harmful content.
Parents have begun pushing back against the trend of outfitting their children with smartphones, especially as they transition from primary to secondary school. While many justify this early access for safety reasons, allowing for emergency communication, apprehension remains around exposure to cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content. The digital environment can breed social pressure and anxiety, disrupting important developmental activities such as outdoor play and interpersonal communication.
Critics of unrestricted smartphone access warn of the mental health hazards associated with heavy screen time, insisting it significantly contributes to issues like anxiety, depression, and strained attention spans among young users. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, emphasizes this point, urging collective action from parents concerning smartphone access. He argues, “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.”
EE's advisory is aligned with growing concerns expressed by leisure groups, educators, and child advocates. Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of the grassroots campaign Smartphone Free Childhood, welcomed EE’s guidance. She argues passionately against the notion of all children requiring smartphones, pointing out their addictive nature, stating, “If a child needs a phone at all, absolutely it should be a simple phone. They are far less addictive.”
She pushed for mechanisms to verify user age directly on devices, addressing the very loophole allowing younger children to access harmful content unchecked. Current legislation, like the Online Safety Act, aims to impose strict guidelines and legal responsibilities on tech platforms to protect young users from toxic online content. Still, the act won’t fully come to fruition until 2025.
International counterparts have taken stricter measures; countries like France, Italy, and the Netherlands have prohibited smartphone usage within school environments entirely, focusing on creating safer, distraction-free learning settings. Meanwhile, the UK is grappling with its own internal discussions. Earlier this year, the Commons Education Committee launched calls for complete bans on smartphone usage for those under 16, stressing the need for urgent action to curb screen time.
During the summer, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the issue yet maintained skepticism about blanket bans. He emphasized the need for the government to reassess the types of content available to children online, advocating for more guided oversight rather than arbitrary restrictions. This highlights a broader struggle between technological advancements and child safety, raising questions about how best to navigate the digital terrain.
The conversation will continue as more parents engage with EE’s guidelines and seek out effective solutions for their families. Increasingly equipped with knowledge about risks associated with modern mobile communication tools, many parents seem eager for practical advice and support on managing their children’s tech use.
Data indicates over 80% of parents believe smartphones can be harmful to children, with 58% supporting restrictions on mobile phone access for under-16s. Campaigns led by the likes of Esther Ghey, mother of the tragic murder victim Brianna Ghey, advocate for changes to smartphone regulations, emphasizing the need for stronger controls on access to social media applications. Through these efforts, the hope is to promote healthier digital habits and encourage open dialogues about technology's role within the family unit.
This new approach from EE, coupled with broader legislative action, suggests we might be at the beginning of significant societal change concerning children's smartphone access, with organizations, parents, and the government moving toward prioritizing children's mental health and wellbeing over convenience and technological advancements.
