Banning SM for under 16s

I think it's supposed to be implemented in around 12 months but nobody really thinks it will, or will change anything much. I think it jist going to teach kids to ignore the law because it's an unenforceable law and is not going to achieve anything.

Yes I agree there needs to be tougher laws in this area. A total ban on phones is probably not the answer but I think much tighter controls on messaging apps and SM. Under 17s shouldn’t be targeted by algorithms and strangers shouldn’t be able to contact them.

If it was illegal you would see a massive reduction in young people using SM which would then make it less attractive to the others.

The argument that they don't because all their friends have it, don't hold up, because a lot of those same kids will STILL have have social media and those parents will STILL have to say no.

It's very different saying no it's against the law as opposed to no I don't want you to though.

If some parents want to ban their kids from having smartphones then go ahead and ban your kids from having them. I'm quite happy to parent my kids through their use until adulthood.

The really funny bit that demonstrates this is about parenting, is the parents who want the ban most, could ban their kids from a smartphone/social media right now. But they don't. Because they are too gutless to do it and want a magic bullet.

The argument that they don't because all their friends have it, don't hold up, because a lot of those same kids will STILL have have social media and those parents will STILL have to say no.

I'm happy for both my kids age 13 and 15 to have smart phones -they've had them since the final term of primary. They are learning how to use them whilst growing up. I don't want them to be kept away from normal smart phones until 16 - I want them to be able to use them sensibly by the time they are adults. They both use them sensibly now and don't spend too long on them. They wake for school at 6.15am, out the house by 7.15 and not home until at least 5. They do hobbies/activities/sports 6 days a week, plus homework - so not much time to be on them anyway.
They both go to school 10 miles away by public transport - their phones are a godsend when the transport goes wrong and goes off timetable - they can find out about delays and alternative routes: believe me there are no staff to ask, especially when the train dumps you off at a small station part way along the route.
If some parents want to ban their kids from having smartphones then go ahead and ban your kids from having them. I'm quite happy to parent my kids through their use until adulthood.

Totally support this

Same way they stop drinking, smoking etc. some still do it some of the time especially as they get near the age it's allowed. But it is much less prevalent especially in younger age groups

And he’d be allowed a continuous monitor…

Whilst it would be hard to officially enforce, it may more easily empower parents to be able to say no. And the more parents that say no, the less kids are on it, reducing that horrible feeling that your kid is the only one missing out on talking to their friends.

My son is part of an organisation that is run by adult volunteers who use Facebook to send out comms, he's not allowed on Facebook so I have to go on there and get the info he needs, he's 14 so it's far from ideal, if it was officially banned for kids situations like this couldn't arise.

I'm just pointing out thst sometimes they are used as medical device, s so can't nr arbitrarily banned my son was allowed his phone in all his GCSE, exams because he has a Dexcom linked to it on a table in front of him with a large sign do not remove for medical reasons.

Possibly but why have various bits of an equipment when a smartphone can do so much
My son was diagnosed with Diabetes two years ago in year 11 he Has Dexcom linked to an app on his phone ,it'd so reassuring as a parent to know his blood sugar is being monitored continuously.

They can have a monitor. There is type 1 diabetes in my family since before the internet and a Smart phone is not essential, what an odd objection to come up with!

I wish the UK would ban social media for under 16s

My son is year 5 and one of the few who is banned from social media / phones. What I find really sad is most of them meet up to sit on their phones / play x box. He isn’t isolated but definitely doesn’t have as many friend socials as most in the year. As far as I am concerned that’s not quality time or real friendship and we have just told him that they are not real friends if they don’t want to socialise because he doesn’t have an iPhone.

there have been some negative posts about smart phone free childhood - I am a member and have found it really useful to get support from like minded parents. It is not dictating to others but educating others about the harmful effects. We only meet up with family friends who share the same views as us about social media. There are children in year 1/2 with their parents old smart phones with YouTube and TikTok and I just find it so depressing.

So parents of disabled children would then need to buy an expensive medical device (they won’t be cheap!), rather than what we currently have a £60 phone. Those in the UK will have to move away from NHS funded censors until this device is approved by NICE, that won’t be fast.

Mine don’t have phones, they’re 4 and 5 lol. However I can’t support a smart phone ban simply because they use mine.

I have the Peppa Pig and Bluey apps on it, a phonics program for the older one.
I also don’t have a home phone line so when they want to speak to their parents or cousins etc I just hand them mine

Of course they could. And jolly well should. Probably do.

For too many parents they're the ultimate pacifier for their kids and they just can't deal with the consequences of enforcing any kind of ban or limitation. These parents will fight tooth and nail and insist we just need better education, yadayadayada. This is just evidence of how addictive these things are.

Surely standalone devices could easily be developed for these instances?

It doesn't. But just because some kids will obtain cigarettes anyway, and they do, even provided by parents, doesn't mean it still shouldn't be banned.

Considering how many kids in pushchairs watch their favourite tv programmes on a parental device from sites like YouTube and streaming services, an unpoliceable ban on content for older kids seem silly. I would argue that YT is social media as you can leave comments and it’s algorithm feeds you more content like Instagram Reels and TikTok.

Im not saying that we don’t need a rethink but I can’t imagine it working because parents will insist it’s up to them , even if the ban became a parenting recommendation. Nobody is going to end up in prison because they’re under 16 watched TikTok with or without their parents. The bar for social services involvement is so high that kids are living with higher risk factors like parents who do drugs and nothing happens.

Its not phones its bad bullying behaviour which actually is happening to dc and friend irl rather than online. (But possibly only as they dont have her number)
Like the murser of the child by another child where they had been arguing online that kid had brought a weapon into school already and yet allowed back in.

Lets get more bullies kicked our of school generally.

In terms of inapproriate stuff dd had a 13yo who she went to orimary make a job about BJ to her after taking her bottle off her so she had to bend down in front of him!

Other boys in the year had a naked woman photo and put it around the class and on the teachers desk!
Personally i would like porn to be charge to see which might slow down people accessing - in error and younger boys not being able to pay for it.

Also imo a lot of parents are letting kids watch very inappropriate films from a young age as its online now.

Im not sure phones as teens is more an issue than preschoolers who only watch tv and have phones and devices on their pushchairs. They are not learning to play together. And for sen kids devices are easier than unpredictable people.

Most kids are also using phones during homework - ours is 95% online.

I certainly dont agree with
-Punishing all.kids.because some are bullying and watching porn
A.16yo age limit as that affects gcse years so some kids.going in in sept.to.school with their phone able.to.use apps and chat to.friends vs 15 till aug after exams kids.who get left behind as.with everything else. If there has to be a ban it would have to be year groups not age

DS uses Pokémon Go, Scratch Junior, makes stop motion animations and Duolingo. He's not allowed social media. He's not allowed YouTube. He's time limited. It's really positive for him.

A bad workman blames his tools...

@Theunamedcat this is the problem - people seem to combine "ban social media" and "ban smart phones". Which isn't the same thing.
Smart phones are a fantastic piece of equipment and have loads of uses.
If parents don't want their under 16s on social media then they need to monitor the phones - not take away the phones !

I think making it illegal will go a long way to reducing its use among children. Although some parents may still allow it, the fact that it is actually illegal will surely reduce that significantly