Ministers in the UK are considering banning the sale of smartphones to children under 16.In fact, there have already been polls on the subject and many support such a move.
Two months ago, the government issued guidelines on the use of mobile phones in schools in England. However, it is believed that more drastic measures need to be taken to more effectively protect children and teenagers.
Esther Ghey, the mother of 16-year-old Brianna, who was murdered last year, has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use. She is also calling for stricter controls and restrictions on children's access to social media apps
See also: Florida: Social media banned for children under 14
Ghey told the BBC in February: “We would like to see a law introduced so that there are mobile phones that are only suitable for people under 16… So if you are over 16 you can have an phone , but if you are under 16 you can have a children’s phone, which won’t have all the social networking apps that are there now.”
A Parentkindlast month found that 58% of parents believe the government should ban smartphones for under-16s. The survey surveyed 2,496 parents of school-aged children. In addition, most parents believe smartphones are “harmful” to children and young people.
Another survey by More in Common also revealed that 64% of people thought that banning the sale of smartphones to children under 16 would be a good idea.
There has been discussion about such a ban in the past.
See also: Children and social media: How to protect them?
However, there are concerns about such a move. Some believe that the government's role is not to be the parent. The goal is to educate parents about the options they have, such as imposing restrictions on websites, apps , and using parental control apps, so they can monitor their children's use of technology.
A government spokesman said: "Safety Act Internet."
Possible effects of smartphone ban on children under 16
One potential impact of this change could be digital alienation among young people. Smartphones are an important tool for accessing information and communication, and banning their sale to children under 16 could negatively impact their ability to fully participate in digital society.
See also: A comprehensive guide to children and internet safety
This change could also have an impact on family life. Parents could find themselves having to share their own smartphones with their children, which can create additional pressures and conflicts.
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However, the increased use of smartphones has raised concerns about the mental health of young people. Several studies have shown that excessive use can lead to an increase in cases of depression, suicidal thoughts and insecurity in adolescents.
Additionally, banning the sale of smartphones to children under 16 can help protect their privacy. Young people are more vulnerable to the exploitation of their personal data and the violation of their privacy through digital technologies.
Without phones, young people's access to inappropriate content on the internet is also reduced.
Finally, children under 16 years of age will have more free time, which they can use for other activities.
Source: www.theguardian.com
