We know that children having access to a smartphone can expose children to risks including:
Viewing inappropriate content
Excessive screen time/use, which in turn can affect their mental health and sleep pattern.
Contact from inappropriate people/grooming
Cyberbullying
Spending money on in-app purchases/scams
What effects do mobile phones have on children’s mental health?
Compass discuss the research around this important topic, outlining the positive and negative effects that mobile phones have:
https://www.compass-uk.org/services/compass-changing-lives/what-effects-do-mobile-phones-have-on-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health/
EE launches Age Guidance
EE has launched age guidance for smartphone usage to improve children’s digital wellbeing. In summary, they recommend that children under 11 should use non-smart devices, for children aged 11-13, they advise that if a smartphone is used, then parental controls should be enabled and access to social media restricted. Finally, for 13-16-year-olds they still recommend that parental controls are implemented and appropriate restrictions set up.
You can read the full guidance here:
https://newsroom.ee.co.uk/ee-launches-age-guidance-for-smartphone-usage-in-drive-to-improve-childrens-digital-wellbeing/
Could you delay when your child is given a smartphone with Smartphone Free Childhood?
The premise behind this movement is that all parents/carers of a class all agree not to give their children smartphones (therefore the level of peer pressure is reduced) for a set time or until a specific age:
https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/