LONDON: EE, one of the UK’s largest mobile network operators, has announced new guidelines advising parents against giving smartphones to children under the age of 11 in response to increasing parental concerns about the potential negative impacts of early smartphone access.
The guidance follows a study by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, which revealed that approximately 25% of British children aged between five and seven now possess a smartphone. In light of these findings, EE has introduced recommendations aimed at helping parents navigate the challenges associated with young children using smartphones.
Under EE’s new guidelines, children are advised to use “limited capability devices” that allow only basic functions such as texting and calling. For teenagers aged 11 to 16, EE suggests enabling parental control features and restricting social media access for those under 13.
The decision reflects a growing trend among UK parents who are increasingly questioning the necessity and safety of providing smartphones to their children, especially as they transition from primary to secondary school at age 11.
Many parents argue that while smartphones can be justified for safety reasons, such as emergencies, they also expose children to potential dangers including online predators, cyberbullying, social pressure, and harmful content.
Mat Sears, EE’s corporate affairs director, acknowledged the challenges faced by parents in managing their children’s smartphone usage. “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognize the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers,” Sears said.
“They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for under 11s, 11 to 13-year-olds, and 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years.”
The debate over children’s smartphone use has been further fueled by concerns from experts such as US author Jonathan Haidt. In his recent book, The Anxious Generation, Haidt argues that smartphones have significantly changed children’s cognitive development and social interactions.
He advocates for delaying smartphone access until at least age 14 and postponing social media use until age 16, suggesting that collective action among parents can make such measures more effective.
Haidt emphasized the importance of a unified approach among parents to create a social norm that discourages early smartphone use. “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 noted.
