More than half of parents say they regret giving their child a smartphone at young age

<h2><strong>'My kid is too young for a phone'</strong></h2>

<figure><img alt="kid on phone, a young boy on phone, online safety for kids" class="img-responsive" src="/Portals/2/Photos/kids_800_400.jpg?ver=YjSF-ncs6WbjUyAHtqyNMw%3d%3d" style="margin: auto;" title="kid on phone, young boy on phone, online safety for kids" />
<figcaption>Parents want their kids off their phones</figcaption>
</figure>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;">In a July 2024 survey, more than half of parents said they regretted giving their child a smartphone at a young age. Over 35% of the 10,000 surveyed parents reported negative effects of smartphones on their children, including changes in their personalities.</span></p>

<ul>
<li>Study involved 10,092 parents from the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, and Australia.</li>
<li>70% of parents believe their children have more family engagement without smartphones</li>
<li>75% fear that smartphones expose their children to online dangers</li>
</ul>

<p>There are serious concerns about the harmful impact of smartphones and social media apps on their children's mental well-being. </p>

<h4><strong>Worried about kids on iPhone</strong></h4>

<p>Parents say mobile phone use changes their children's personality traits completely. Many parents worry smartphones harm their children's sleep, activity, and friendships. The study found that 75% of parents fear smartphones expose their kids to online dangers. Also, over half don't know what their kids do on their phones.</p>

<p>Parents see mobile phone use altering their children's personalities in significant numbers. A third of parents attribute their child's body image issues to phones.</p>

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<p>Neil Sinclair, a former senior service security police officer with the London Metropolitan Police, noted that researching children's smartphone use is evidence of the difficult position parents find themselves in. Many parents face this issue daily and want collaborative efforts involving parents, children, government, and tech companies to address the problem. </p>

<p>Neil Sinclair, lead UK lecturer at 'Internet Safety Talks' 'This is the moment to build devices, technology and phones for kids. It is long overdue. Parents need to embrace simple controls and enforce those rules at home.</p>

<p>Finally, we now have the laws and a better, more understanding police force; as a former officer, I can attest to this. Our aim? To work with parents and experts. Together, we'll create solutions that meet needs and spark innovation. There is a need for a phone that is appealing to children but doesn't steal their attention. </p>

<h4><strong>Phone, built for kids</strong><br />
<br />
A phone designed for children could have features that limit distractions, such as</h4>

<ul>
<li>Parental controls to restrict certain app usage or screen time,</li>
<li>Educational content and games</li>
<li>Simplified screens with only essential apps</li>
<li>Allow parents to regulate and monitor usage</li>
</ul>

<p>The phone must have robust safety features, easy access to emergency contacts and GPS tracking for everyone's peace of mind.</p>

<p>Parents can set rules about smartphone use by setting time limits, creating phone-free zones or times, using parental control apps, and having open conversations about responsible smartphone use with their children. </p>

<p>Parents can lead by example with healthy phone habits themselves. The goal is to work with parents and experts to develop devices that meet people's needs and to innovate. There needs to be a phone that appeals to children but doesn't steal their attention. </p>

<h4><strong>Parents are not alone, psychiatrists could help</strong></h4>

<p>Psychiatrists could guide how to incorporate features that promote positive mental health, such as mindfulness apps, relaxation techniques, and resources for managing stress and anxiety. They could advise on parental control features that:</p>

<ul>
<li>Support better and healthier usage patterns</li>
<li>Limit exposure to potentially harmful content</li>
</ul>

<p>Psychiatrists could design features to encourage positive social interactions, foster healthy self-esteem, prevent the development of body image issues related to smartphone use and minimise negative psychological effects like well-being, mood and body image.</p>

<h4 class="mb-none"><strong>Articles of Interest</strong></h4>

<p class="mb-none">Articles, Links & connections from the Internet Safety Talks site you might find interesting</p>
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