In the UK, a quarter of three and four-year-olds now own a smartphone, and even children under 13 have smartphones, according to new data. As ministers consider banning mobile phone ownership for children under 16, half of children are already using social media.
Reports from the communications regulator Ofcom show a significant increase in online activity among toddlers to school-age children, with social media usage among 5 to 7-year-olds rising from 30% to 38% in the past year. Furthermore, 76% of children in this age group are using tablets.
These findings support the arguments of those close to Rishi Sunak, urging him to regulate young children’s phone and social media usage. Discussions on potential measures are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with proposals including banning the sale of mobile phones to under-16s, enhancing parental control capabilities, and raising the minimum age for social media platforms to 16.
It is concerning that despite the age requirement of 13 for social media apps, half of children aged 3 to 12 are using at least one social media platform. Michelle Donnellan, the Tech Secretary, emphasized the importance of implementing online safety laws to protect children.
The figures underscore the negative impact of widespread social media use on children’s mental health, with a significant increase in depression and anxiety among adolescents. Experts like Jonathan Haidt recommend delaying smartphone ownership until the age of 16 to address these issues.
Child safety advocates urge action to enforce age restrictions on social media platforms. Organizations like the Molly Rose Foundation and NSPCC emphasize the need for stronger regulations to protect children online.
New data from Ofcom also reveals an increase in messaging and calling among 5 to 7-year-olds, with more children using apps like WhatsApp and TikTok. The vast majority of children aged 3 to 17 are now online, with younger children favoring tablets and older children owning smartphones.
The smartphone ownership statistics are based on a survey of 2,480 parents with children aged 3 to 17. Ofcom defines smartphones as devices that enable app download, web browsing, and online activity.
Source: www.theguardian.com
