One of the UK’s largest network providers, EE, has issued new guidance advising parents against buying smartphones for children under 11-years-old. Instead, they recommend “limited capability devices” that only allow texting and calling for primary school-aged children.
The company also suggests enabling parental control features when giving smartphones to children aged 16 or below, and restricting access to social media for those under 13. This advice is part of EE’s efforts to “safeguard children in the digital world”, amid concerns about the potential mental health impacts of excessive smartphone use and the risks of unrestricted internet access.
The guidance will be made public on Sunday, following calls from campaigners and MPs for more robust action on this issue. EE also plans to introduce updated in-app controls and has launched a national school campaign to educate young people about responsible digital behaviour.
Mat Sears, corporate affairs director for EE, said: “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognise the growing complexity of…
