Parents regret giving children smartphones amid mental health concerns

A new study has found that many parents regret giving their young children smartphones and have concerns about the impact it can have on their mental health.

The report by HMD shows the average age a child gets their first smartphone is now 11 years old, yet more than half of parents regret handing over a smartphone to their child at such a young age, wishing they had waited longer.

The survey of 10,000 parents in the UK, US, India, Germany and Australia also found that almost 75% fear smartphones expose their children to internet dangers.

These results come after the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association revealed a study in March that found more than 90% of school lessons are interrupted by pupils using mobile phones in class.

Another report from centre-right think tank Policy Exchange called for a ban on mobile phone use in schools.

The report said an effective phone ban offers “potential benefits” for school performance and pupil attainment, as well as children’s wellbeing.

The Scottish Government said they are working with the UK Government on the Online Safety Act 2023 and its impact on children, young people and their families.

They are set to publish new guidance on mobile phone use in the class room for the upcoming school year but added that their position is that headteachers should be “empowered” to take action including banning mobile phone use.

The HMD research also shows two thirds (65%) of parents have concerns about their child’s phone use and the impact on their mental health, attention span or social confidence.

Parents aren’t naïve and understand some of the benefits of smartphone use. In fact, half (50%) of parents agree being able to know where their child is due to tracking phone location is an important safety feature.

The top features that parents would include in their child’s mobile phone if they had a choice are educational apps (63%), music (60%) and messaging (56%), highlighting that parents recognise the positive features phones can bring to their children.

Yet, a third (31%) believe their child’s phone use is ‘out of control’, while 35% say they rarely see their child due to phone use suggesting more needs to be done to rein in more of the negative aspects of phone use one use.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The regulatory responsibility around online content and mobile phones lies with the UK Government.

“It would therefore be a matter for them to strengthen regulation, however the Scottish Government continues to engage with them on the Online Safety Act 2023 and its impacts on children, young people and their families.

“The Scottish Government will publish new guidance on mobile phone use in the classroom in the new school year.

“As a starting point for this guidance, our position is headteachers should be empowered to take any action they deem necessary, including banning mobile phone use.”