One of the UK’s largest network providers, EEhas issued new guidance advising parents not to buy smartphones for children under 11. Instead, they recommend “limited-capability devices” that only allow texting and calling children of primary school age.
The company also suggests enabling parental control resources when giving smartphones for children aged 16 and under and restricting access to social media for under-13s. This advice is part of EE’s efforts to “keep children safe in the digital world”, amid concerns about the potential mental health impacts of excessive smartphone use and the risks of unrestricted use Internet access.
The guidance will be made public on Sunday, following calls from campaigners and MPs for more robust action on the issue. EE also plans to introduce updated controls on the app and has launched a national schools campaign to educate young people about responsible digital behavior.
Mat Sears, EE’s director of corporate affairs, said: “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognise that the increasing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and carers. They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone use for under-11s, 11-13s and 13-16s to help them make the best choices for their children during these formative years.”
The guidance suggests that children aged 11 to 13 should have family sharing features installed on their first phone. This would allow parents to monitor screen time, track app usage and set time limits for specific apps.
For those aged 13-16, the guidance recommends that they should be allowed to participate in social media, but this should be linked to a parent or guardian’s account. Parental controls should also be used to manage access to inappropriate websites, content and platforms.
EE has announced that staff will be trained on the new guidance in the coming days and weeks, although smartphone sales will not be restricted by age. A survey by charity Parentkind in April found that more than four in five (83%) parents believe smartphones are “harmful” to children and young people, with 58% supporting a ban on phones for under-16s.
In May, the House of Commons Education Committee suggested that the Government should consider a total ban on mobile phones for under-16s and that tougher action was needed to limit screen time and tackle online harm. However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in July that it did not support “simply banning” cellphones for children under 16, adding that the government needed to “take a fresh look” at the content children were accessing online.
Esther Ghey, who tragically lost her teenage daughter Brianna Ghey in a brutal murder, has been campaigning for an age limit on smartphone use and stricter regulation of access to social media apps. In a crucial move in February, the previous administration issued non-statutory guidance to schools across England aimed at restricting the use of mobile phones during school hours.
Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters, a leading online safety organization, welcomed the move, saying: “This initiative is timely and much needed.”
She highlighted parents’ conflicting emotions about digital technology, saying: “Parents and guardians want their children to be able to stay connected with them and experience the benefits of digital technology, but they are also concerned about their safety and wellbeing online.”
Bunting highlighted the findings of recent studies: “Our recent research showed that parents want to make their own decisions about their children’s technology use, but many would value guidance to help them do this.” Further emphasising the positive impact of parental support, she added: “It’s fantastic that EE is supporting parents with age-specific advice to support children’s diverse technology needs.”