The proliferation of smartphones has meant young people have been exposed to more inappropriate, age restricted, extreme and illegal content than ever before. Those that do come across such material are unlikely to report it – with as little as 11% of children telling their parents and 9% authorities.
Any and all efforts to protect children from harmful content are welcome. However, a possible ban on young people from purchasing smartphones may not have the desired outcome.
If this ban is to come into effect, there is the very real risk that children will look for ways to circumvent the restrictions. This could mean that children may find ways to access the internet in ways parents are unaware of, potentially exposing them to inappropriate content through less secure platforms or websites. Therefore, an outright ban will not effectively ensure children are exposed to the age-appropriate experiences they deserve and does not promote vital conversations needed about online safety.
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