Despite the availability of affordable cell phones, parents have new ways to stay connected with their children. However, this development has also sparked debates on screen time, safety, and social media.
As worries about phone usage rise and the age at which children get their first mobile phone decreases, countries worldwide are considering ways to address this issue in schools and homes.
While there’s no single solution, various action plans and suggestions are being explored, ranging from strict laws to grassroots initiatives.
Our correspondent delves into some of the noteworthy solutions to screen time as Australia and Spain gear up to implement stringent laws to combat the problem.
Australia: “Ensuring our children have a good childhood.”
In a significant move, Australia recently passed a law prohibiting social media use for under-16s, although specifics regarding its implementation and application are unclear.
While some Australian states already ban mobile phones in schools, a new federal ban aims to completely restrict social media usage for children under 16 by year-end. The law grants the communications minister authority to determine which platforms are restricted, likely including Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
YouTube is expected to be exempt due to its claimed educational benefits.
The legislation mandates platforms to verify users’ ages and take necessary steps to ensure compliance, with penalties of up to A$50m for non-compliance. Trials for age verification technology are ongoing, including facial age estimation and other authentication methods.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the ban aims to offer children “a childhood”, encouraging them to engage in outdoor activities and sports instead of being glued to their phones.
Josh Taylor, Melbourne
Spain: “You can use ours.”
Spain’s government is proposing a bill to raise the minimum age for social media account registration from 14 to 16, along with mandatory age verification measures for tech companies.
Additionally, the bill suggests default parental controls on smartphones and a national education campaign to educate children and teens on responsible social media usage.
An expert panel has recommended including warning labels on digital devices sold in Spain to inform consumers of the health risks associated with social media and technology.
In Barcelona’s Poblenou district, parents initiated a campaign to delay children’s access to mobile phones until age 16. This movement quickly spread across Catalonia, emphasizing the importance of holding off on phone ownership until a later age.
Major project spokesperson Nuria González Rojas noted the significant impact of delaying mobile phone ownership, with over 72% of Spanish children owning smartphones by age 12.
In another initiative, Basque parents’ organization Archa Brua is piloting schemes to delay mobile phone ownership with support from schools, families, and local businesses.
Sam Jones, Madrid
France: “Take back control of your screen”
French President Emmanuel Macron commissioned a report urging a reassessment of screen usage to safeguard children’s well-being and democracy’s future.
The report advocates for delaying smartphone usage until age 13, restricting access to social media until 18, and banning mobile phones with internet access until after school hours.
Experts stress the need to shield children from profit-focused tech influences due to adverse effects on vision, sleep, and overall health.
Macron urges ministers to consider and implement the report’s recommendations.
Angelique Chrysafis (Paris)
Italy: school ban
Italy has issued a blanket ban on smartphones and tablets in primary and middle school classrooms, citing disruptive incidents like physical altercations between students and teachers.
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara supports efforts to ban mobile phones for children under 14 and social media profiles for those under 16.
Angela Giuffrida (Rome)
Germany: “The longer we can delay children from using smartphones, the better.”
German schools can’t outright ban cellphones, but restrictions on their use in classrooms and during breaks are in place.
Efforts to enhance digital literacy among youth are encouraged, with calls in some regions for total bans on mobile phones in elementary schools.
Pediatric experts advocate delaying smartphone ownership until age 11 to protect children’s development, noting adverse effects on mental health and well-being from early exposure to social media.
Despite concerns surrounding smartphones, Germany’s decentralized governance system means a national policy remains elusive.
Deborah Cole, Berlin
Source: www.theguardian.com
