A new monthly plan launched by Sure allows parents to block mobile data on their child’s phone. It prevents online access outside home or school, which should be controlled environments.
Such moves are further indication of a welcome trend – increasing scepticism about unrestricted use of smartphones by children.
Research suggests that about nine out of 10 have a smartphone by the age of 12. An increasing number of epidemiologists and psychologists are drawing links between smartphone use and problems with anxiety, sleep, concentration, self-harming, and so on, and on, and on.
For children at least, the list of risks is endless, while the benefits unique to smartphones are almost non-existent. Where such a product exists, society generally tries to protect children from it. Big tech has fought regulation and will continue to do so, like tobacco companies did. It is coming though. We are, tentatively but unmistakably, preparing to move out of a sort of wild west era of unrestricted smartphone use and online access.
The local arm of the worldwide Smartphone Free Childhood Campaign has made commendable progress in a short space of time. But it needs more support.
Three committee presidents – at Education, Health and Home Affairs – are known to want to tackle the misuse of smartphones and social media by children. The Policy & Resources president is sympathetic.
If they are looking to demonstrate joined-up government, this is the issue and this is the time. The States now needs a joint policy letter of their ideas and proposals.
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