UK: Majority Supports Banning Smartphone Sales to Under-16s, but Some Tories Express Concerns
The UK government is considering a ban on selling smartphones to children under 16 due to public support for such a measure, aimed at protecting children.
Esther Ghey, a mother who lost her 16-year-old daughter to murder, has been advocating for stricter controls on smartphone usage and social media apps.
The government issued guidance on mobile phone use in schools two months ago, but more restrictions are being considered.
Some Conservative ministers are hesitant about the idea of "microparenting" and the potential implications of such a ban.
A UK charity representative, Ghey, suggested introducing a law to limit mobile phones for under-16s to children-friendly models without access to all social media apps.
In February 2023, a Parentkind survey of 2,496 English parents revealed that 58% of them supported a ban on smartphones for under-16s, and 80% believed smartphones were harmful to children.
Another survey by More in Common found that 64% of people supported a ban on selling smartphones to under-16s, while 20% opposed it.
A thinktank found that a majority of Tory and Labour voters in 2019 supported a ban on energy drinks for children.
However, some Conservative government sources have expressed unease about the idea, viewing it as an unnecessary interference in parenting and suggesting that parents should be made more aware of existing controls like website and app restrictions, and parental control apps instead.
The government issued guidance on mobile phone use in schools two months ago, but more restrictions are being considered.
Some Conservative ministers are hesitant about the idea of "microparenting" and the potential implications of such a ban.
A UK charity representative, Ghey, suggested introducing a law to limit mobile phones for under-16s to children-friendly models without access to all social media apps.
In February 2023, a Parentkind survey of 2,496 English parents revealed that 58% of them supported a ban on smartphones for under-16s, and 80% believed smartphones were harmful to children.
Another survey by More in Common found that 64% of people supported a ban on selling smartphones to under-16s, while 20% opposed it.
A thinktank found that a majority of Tory and Labour voters in 2019 supported a ban on energy drinks for children.
However, some Conservative government sources have expressed unease about the idea, viewing it as an unnecessary interference in parenting and suggesting that parents should be made more aware of existing controls like website and app restrictions, and parental control apps instead.
Translation:
Translated by AI
