Mobile phones: do you know the risks?

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://compass-uk.org/services/compass-changing-lives/online-resources/what-effects-do-mobile-phones-have-on-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health/
 

EE Online Safety Hub
EE has published 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://ee.co.uk/internet-online-safety

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://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/

What device?
When you think it is the right time for your child to have a phone, then ‘Which?’ provide an overview of some options available:
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/mobile-phones/article/buying-a-first-mobile-phone-best-dumb-phones-and-smartphones-for-kids-aA03C3Y8aTzr