In several places in Europe, pressure is growing on governments to impose age limits on smartphone use.
In the United Kingdom, the national Smartphone Free Childhood campaign is getting a lot of support. Last weekend, the British Parliament's education committee released a report recommending that social media use be banned for children under 16 (1).
Earlier this month, French scientists presented a similar opinion stating that children under 13 should be prohibited from having a smartphone with Internet. Concerns about young people's cell phone use are also growing in the Netherlands.
French scientists have delivered some far-reaching advice on children's use of social media to President Macron. Other places in Europe are also urging governments to do something about children's smartphone use.
Some of the findings of the French experts:
Children under 3 should never sit behind a screen (including television, phone or tablet).
Up to age 6, screen use should be minimal and only under parental supervision.
Children under 11 should not have cell phones; children under 13 should not have phones with Internet.
Up to 15, social media should be banned.
Scholars stress the importance of education; children should be taught how to use the Internet so that they become more resilient to the dangers of social media online (2).
Large companies such as Snapchat and TikTok have also been criticized, especially when it comes to how algorithms keep children on certain apps for as long as possible. This fails to protect children, while the health risks are very high.
MPs in England have asked the British parliament to consider a ban on smartphones for children under 16. Robin Walker, the Conservative leader of the education committee, said screen time has a "clear negative impact" on children's well-being.
Concerns around pornography exposure and crime are growing. As a result, the committee believes the government should do more to improve children's online safety (3).
The Education Commission report also asks if the government will consider a smartphone ban in schools. Daisy Greenwell, founder of the Smartphone Free Childhood lobby group, responded positively to the proposal.
Not everyone is enthusiastic. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly committed suicide after seeing worrisome material on social media, says the government should focus on legislation rather than prohibition. He warns that children should not be victims of big tech companies' abuses.
(1) https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/203/education-committee/news/201715/stronger-guidance-and-controls-needed-to-protect-children-from-screen-time-education-committee-finds/
(2) https://www.vpngids.nl/veilig-internet/kind-en-jeugd/populaire-social-media/
(3) https://www.vpngids.nl/veilig-internet/kind-en-jeugd/
