One of Britain’s leading mobile network operators issued a strong warning to parents on Sunday, advising against giving smartphones to children under the age of 11.
This new guidance reflects growing concerns among parents about the potential risks associated with early smartphone use. The advice comes in the wake of a study by the UK communications regulator, which revealed that nearly a quarter of British children aged between five and seven now own a smartphone.
In its latest guidance, EE, the mobile network operator, recommends that children should only have access to basic phones, limited to texting and calling functions. The company also advises parents to enable parental control features for teens under 16 and to impose restrictions on social media access for those under 13.
The pushback against early smartphone use is gaining traction among UK parents, particularly as children transition from primary to secondary school at age 11. While parents often cite safety reasons for giving their children smartphones—to ensure they can contact them during their journey to and from school—there is increasing concern that these devices may expose children to online predators, cyberbullying, social pressures, and inappropriate content.
“While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognize that the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers,” said Mat Sears, Corporate Affairs Director at EE. “They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for children under 11, as well as for those aged 11 to 13 and 13 to 16, to help parents make informed choices during these crucial formative years.”
US author Jonathan Haidt, whose recent book “The Anxious Generation” argues that smartphones are rewiring children’s brains, has also urged parents to collectively limit smartphone access. Haidt advocates for no smartphones before the age of 14 and no social media before 16, emphasizing that collective action among parents can make these restrictions more manageable.
“It’s heartbreaking when a child feels excluded because they are the only one without a phone,” Haidt said earlier this year. “But if we all act together—even if just half of us do—it becomes much easier for our kids.”
