The use of smartphones by children and teens is a much-debated topic worldwide. Some schools have a blanket ban on smartphones, child psychologists write about them as if they were the work of the devil, and this week the British government has issued a mandate about the dangers of their usage and strict guidance that all schools are expected to follow.
It is a highly debated topic area and one that educationalists, doctors, researchers, politicians, parents, and guardians alike have strong opinions upon. One cannot refute the statistics worldwide, which estimate that 81% of children of 11-year-olds and above own or have access to a smartphone, and that the large majority of these phones have both unrestricted and unfiltered internet access.
The UK government guidance strongly encourages mobile phones to be banned in all schools, and many schools have already done so. Parents have set up WhatsApp groups encouraging parents to free their children’s childhood from smart devices.
No one is denying that smartphones come with a great cause for concern. However, as both a parent and educator, I would argue that it is not how we use the information that we have about these devices and apply this in our children’s lives that will allow the benefits of smart devices to enhance our children’s lives.
- Age: At what age should a child have their own smartphone or be given access to one is probably the most widely debated question. Recommendations are for above the age of secondary school education. Even so, 11-year-old children are still very young, and the use of any smart device should and must be monitored and controlled by an adult. If this cannot be put in place, the child is too young to have unrestricted access. Do not allow peer pressure or what others do to influence your choice of when to allow your child to have a smartphone. As their parent, you know your child best and have your own values.
- Usage: Once a child has access to a smartphone, how often they are using it is of great concern. Children should have their screentime limited. Personally, when I have visited schools, I always make a point of going outside at break and lunch times when I can observe social interaction, running around and ball games. No school play area is appealing when children are sat apart glued to smart devices!
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Content: Unchecked smartphones allow unlimited access to the internet and all that this entails! Therefore, children and teens need to be educated about all aspects of the dangers that are involved. It is us, as parents and educators, that should be making our children aware of the grave dangers that they could face. If children are too young to understand this aspect, then, surely, they are too young for such a device!
- Medical risks: There is ongoing research associating excessive smartphone usage with addiction, sleep deprivation and other medical issues. The medical advice given is always to limit the amount of time for all such devices.
- Quick information exchange: Smartphones are excellent for finding out information immediately.
- Skill developing apps that improve children’s creative thinking and general skills are readily available on smartphones. They are engaging, interactive and proven to develop learning.
- Socialising: Smartphones are the modern way of socialisation whether we like it or not!
- Technological skills: Smartphones can help develop the fast-paced technological skills that are in use in our children’s everyday lives.
No one can deny both the risks and negatives associated with children and the owning of, or having access to, a smartphone. However, there are also numerous benefits and, as parents and educators, it is surely how we manage the ownership and usage of such devices that is key to ensuring that our children are both safe and happy.
Are we role models? Or do we look at our phones constantly, use them as a babysitting aid or look up inappropriate content at inappropriate times in a restaurant?
‘With great power, there must also come great responsibility’
Peter Parker aka Spiderman
By Penelope Best,
International Education Consultant
