In a bold move to enhance children's "digital wellbeing," EE, one of the UK's largest mobile network providers, is advising parents against giving smartphones to children under the age of 11. The company, which is owned by BT, has issued this recommendation amid growing concerns about the impact of smartphone and internet usage on young children's mental health and overall behavior.
This guidance comes as the new school year begins, addressing the rising demand from parents seeking advice on managing their children's digital consumption.
EE's recommendation is based on the belief that primary school-aged children should be equipped with "non-smart" devices—phones that resemble the basic "brick phones" of the past. These devices can text and make calls but lack internet access and social media applications like TikTok and YouTube.
EE's corporate affairs director, Mat Sears, emphasized that children under 11 do not require the functionalities of a smartphone, stating, "Under-11s we feel should not be given access to smartphones. They don't need the usage of a smartphone and, actually, a feature phone—or a dumb phone, as some people call them—is more suitable."
The ongoing debate about children's access to smartphones is fueled by concerns from experts who warn that early exposure to the internet can have detrimental effects on children's mental health and behavior. While the internet can support education and social interaction, it can also contribute to shorter attention spans, expose children to harmful content, and replace important activities such as outdoor play and face-to-face communication.
Recent research from Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulator, revealed that nearly a quarter of children aged five to seven already own a smartphone. By age 11, almost all children have some form of a mobile device. Ofcom's findings have been described as a "wake-up call," especially since over half of under-13s are using social media despite age restrictions on major platforms.
In response to these growing concerns, EE is marketing a phone specifically designed for children with limited capabilities, aiming to balance connectivity with safety. The company also suggests that parents of older children use apps and settings to monitor internet usage, ensuring that their children are protected from potential online dangers.
For children aged 11 to 13, EE considers smartphones to be appropriate, though it recommends limiting access to social media. Mat Sears advised parents to exercise "care and attention" when deciding which apps their children can download, particularly when it comes to social media platforms. He stated, "We think it's absolutely fine and okay for social media to be used [by over-13s] but various parental controls and privacy settings should be put in place, as well as screen locks for the amount of time that is being placed on these various social media sites."
EE’s new guidance has been welcomed by Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of the grassroots campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood. She praised the move, saying, "It’s a positive move to get parents to question this norm that ‘yeah I’ll just get them a smartphone.'" Fernyhough further challenged the assumption that all children need a phone, advocating for simpler devices that are less addictive and safer for young users.
Fernyhough also called for stronger measures to protect children, suggesting the introduction of age verification mechanisms on devices themselves, rather than just during content access.
She pointed out that while recent government legislation, such as the Online Safety Act, aims to protect children from harmful online content, the Act does not take full effect until 2025. Critics argue that, although the legislation is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to safeguard young people.
The issue of smartphone usage among children is not limited to the UK. Countries like France, Italy, and the Netherlands have already implemented bans on smartphone use in schools, reflecting global concern over the impact of digital devices on young minds. Last year, China’s regulator proposed limiting daily screen time for children up to the age of 18, indicating a growing international consensus on the need for stricter regulations.
In the UK, the Commons Education Committee suggested in May that the government consider a total ban on smartphones for children under 16. However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed reservations about an outright ban, advocating instead for a more nuanced approach to managing children’s online experiences. He acknowledged the need to "look again" at the content accessible to children online.
Interestingly, some communities have already taken action on this issue. In County Wicklow, Ireland, parents from eight primary schools collectively agreed not to give their children smartphones before they transition to secondary school, in an effort to alleviate peer pressure and promote healthier digital habits.
As concerns about the impact of digital technology on children continue to grow, EE's recommendations offer a proactive approach to safeguarding young minds. By encouraging parents to consider alternatives to smartphones for their under-11s, EE is contributing to a broader conversation about how best to navigate the challenges of raising children in an increasingly digital world. Whether through policy changes, community action, or corporate guidance, the goal remains the same: to ensure that children can benefit from technology without being overwhelmed by its risks.