Banning Smartphones
Secondary Schools often have Smartphone bans and there is a strong chance this will be rolled out to all schools in Southwark. There has been a lot of recent debate about children and young teens using smartphones. Studies have reported that 99% of children are regularly spending time online, and 9 out of 10 children own a mobile phone by the time they are 11.
Additionally, children from the ages of 8 upwards are accessing social media accounts and some are even holding their own accounts (despite most social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook having age limits of age 13 and upwards). Reports show that three-quarters of children state they have experienced harm online, and that smartphone use contributes to a decline in mental health and well being and exposure to harmful content.
Many parent groups and campaigners are fighting to protect young children from these potential harms by calling for a ban on smartphones for under 14’s. You can explore more on this topic by following these links:
Ofcom: Almost a quarter of kids aged 5-7 have smartphones – BBC News
The impact of smartphones and social media on children – House of Commons Library
The Effect of Smartphones on Child Development | CUNE Online
Does your child have a smartphone? How do you set limits and monitor what they are accessing? Many parents and guardians have turned to monitoring apps. Read the article below to find out more about using monitoring apps for your child’s phone.
Monitoring Apps – A Guide for Parents and Carers | SWGfL
There are many different monitoring apps available, but it is important to research and choose one that is most suitable for you.
Here are two examples, for iPhones and Android:
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