 didn't have phones until they were 14 and 13, respectively. Yes, they thought I was a terrible mother and yes, I was wading against the tide but I'd done my research into the algorithms and the evidence was shocking: the devices are creating a divisive atmosphere ripe for damage, suicide, abuse, judgment, isolation and distress. I feel that we've been living in a social experiment, for which we're only now seeing the damage. We are still in Version 1 of a new reality, and longer lasting effects are only likely to be seen further down the line. I'm fortunate in that my children chose, voluntarily, to delete TikTok and Instagram; they keep Snapchat for communication purposes. Even so, we've taught them that small interactions can make a huge difference – not only in the miserable ways listed above, but also for good. There's no point in trying to ignore the existence of phones and social media – they are here to stay – but if we can harness their immense potential for good, it's better than burying your head in the sand, or banning your children from using them. The entry into secondary school seems, to me, to be the ideal time to introduce phone usage – not only because of the social and safety reasoning, but also because it's an age where you can encourag){kind=link}
Thousands of secondary school pupils will get their first handset next week – but should they?
The appropriate age for a child to be given their first mobile phone is a contentious decision for parents, dependent on both parenting style and child maturity.
When the time does come for them to have one of their own, how can you best guard your child against the dangers of excessive screen time, while encouraging them to put it to good use?
Here, five experts and parents offer their take on the divisive parenting conundrum.
Sue Fennessy, founder and CEO of social media platform WeAre8, the world’s only sustainable social media platform, backed by Rio Ferdinand