Smartphone Ban for U16s: Is there an Alternative Solution?
Smartphones have become indispensable tools in our everyday lives. We use them for everything from connecting with friends, family and colleagues to watching videos and from playing games to online banking. However, there are downsides to these digital devices, which has given rise to calls for a smartphone ban for under 16-year-olds.
In this article, we explore the reasons behind the calls for a smartphone ban and examine the risks these devices can cause, particularly to young users. From there, we will discuss potential alternative solutions. Find out more below.
Smartphones are Everywhere
Smartphones are a relatively new development, and they continue to improve and offer additional features and functionalities. Few could have predicted just how ubiquitous these devices would become. According to research conducted by GSMA, over half of the global population owns a smartphone. This is an incredible statistic that perfectly illustrates just how much smartphones have impacted society.
We don’t just use smartphones for making calls and sending texts. Mobile data technology means we’re all now connected to the internet 24/7, making the world more interconnected than at any point in history. Now, 68% of smartphone owners use their devices primarily for email, 62% for listening to music and 57% for online shopping.
What Risks Do Smartphones Pose to Children?
Smartphones aren’t just used by adults. The number of children that own these devices is growing, with smartphone use reported among nearly 25% of children aged 5-7. For parents, smartphones make it easier to keep in touch with children, and modern devices even offer location tagging for extra security. However, while smartphones do offer benefits for young people, they also come with a number of risks.
Smartphones can be addictive, especially for young people. They can be packed with different games and apps, which can see them become a distraction that diverts attention away from schoolwork and other responsibilities. Perhaps more seriously, smartphones offer children an access point to the internet. Here, they can be vulnerable to online predators, cyberbullying and harmful content.
As a result of these issues, there have been increasing calls for the government to introduce a smartphone ban for children under the age of 16. Activists believe that, by limiting access to smartphones until a responsible age, they would be able to mitigate the potential harm that these devices can cause.
However, opponents of the smartphone ban maintain that the evidence doesn’t support such a drastic move and that limiting children’s access to these devices would be more harmful in the long run.
What is the Alternative?
Smartphones have changed the face of society as we know it. While their benefits are undeniable, they are not without risk and pose a particular danger to younger users. However, is a smartphone ban really the answer?
An alternative to the ban could be a more effective implementation of parental controls and identity verification tools. Rather than banning children from using smartphones completely, robust age verification software can be utilised to ensure they are unable to access platforms or content that could put them at risk.
The AgeChecked solution can be implemented across a range of use-case scenarios. It is fully flexible and can be adapted to suit the unique needs and requirements of a business or organisation. This kind of software could be the key to improving safeguards for young mobile users while eliminating the need for drastic measures such as a smartphone ban.
Conclusion
The idea of a smartphone ban for under 16 year olds is a polarising one. Some maintain it’s the best way to safeguard children online, while others argue it’s taking things a step too far. An alternative option, such as the use of age verification tools, could be the perfect solution.
