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After recent surveys showed substantial support, the UK government is considering banning the sale of smartphones to individuals under 16. This proposal comes amid growing worries about the health effects of excessive smartphone use and social media applications on minors.
Recent surveys show considerable support for such limits. 58% of UK parents think the government should prohibit smartphones for under-16s, according to a March Parentkind study. More than four in five parents are worried about smartphone dangers of smartphones to children and teens, The Guardian reported.
Smartphone Ban Proposal Criticized
According to another More in Common study, 64% of respondents supported a ban on selling smartphones to under-16s, while 20% opposed it. 72% of 2019 Tory voters and 61% of Labour supporters supported the proposed UK smartphone ban.
However, some oppose such efforts. Conservatives have criticized the notion as “out of touch” and stressed parental responsibility for children’s online habits. While the UK government supports internet kid safety, micromanaging family decisions may be inappropriate, according to a government official.
A UK government representative declined to comment on smartphone ban rumors but emphasized the government’s commitment to online kid protection, noting the upcoming Online Protection Act.
Notably, according to a Pew Research Center study, 40% of teens have cut back on social media. The study suggests a change away from today’s youth’s always-online attitude.
The research raises worries about teenage smartphone and social media use. The statistics show that 38% of kids say they spend “too much” time on cell phones and 27% on social media.
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(Photo : NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Teenagers hang on to their smartphones in Marseille, southern France, on June 27, 2022.
The influence of social media on young users’ mental health and well-being has raised concerns among US parents, educators, and politicians. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy worries that the 13-year-old social media sign-up age may be too early for kids. Multiple US states have challenged teen social media regulations.
Youth Spending Too Much Time on Smartphones
According to Pew, numerous children are imposing stronger tech restrictions to address their internet addictions. Despite these issues, 95% of US youth have smartphones. A December Pew poll found that one-third of youth use YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook “almost constantly.” Moreover, the survey shows that teen females are more likely than boys to think they use their phones too much (44% vs. 33%).
The study of 1,453 13 to 17-year-old US youths and their parents examined youngsters’ emotional responses to being without their smartphones. It showed that 72% of teens feel happy “sometimes” or “often” after turning off the screens, but 44% were anxious, according to CNN.
Although adolescents have mixed feelings about smartphones, 67% think they outweigh the risks for their age. While 42% say smartphones make social skills harder to develop.
The American Psychological Association advises early social media literacy training for teenagers to promote psychological development and digital literacy to reduce risks.
In response to these challenges, Harvard University researchers teach mental health social media influencers to share accurate, evidence-based information. TechTimes previously reported that the program aims to flood online platforms with scientific knowledge to combat the mental health risks of excessive use of social media.
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