Banning Smartphones Completely on Teens: Unrealistic and Potentially Harmful

Amy Orben, a researcher from the University of Cambridge (UK) will lead an important study on the impact of smartphone use on children.

The research was commissioned by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and carried out in collaboration with a team of academics from several leading UK universities.

To date, the UK government has not introduced any additional legislation to tighten up children's smartphone and social media use, beyond the existing Online Safety Act, which focuses on restricting harmful content.

However, some MPs have called for stronger measures, such as banning social media access for under-16s, banning smartphones in schools altogether, or reining in potentially addictive social media algorithms.

In a paper published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) this week, Orben and four co-authors expressed doubts about the effectiveness of strict bans and restrictions, although they advocated the establishment of dedicated "tech-free spaces" for children and adolescents.

“Bans and restrictions have been successful in public health campaigns such as anti-smoking campaigns,” the authors note. “However, comparing smoking to smartphone or social media use is not appropriate, as the harms of smoking are so clear that they far outweigh any benefits. Technology, on the other hand, provides many practical benefits, such as access to information and social support.”

The article also notes that there is growing public pressure to reduce the potential negative impacts of smartphones and social media on health, well-being, academic performance, and social behavior in children and adolescents.

However, the current evidence is still inconclusive and there is no simple, one-size-fits-all solution, according to the researchers. While many parents and policymakers believe that the technology is harmful, the overall impact of the technology on children remains uncertain.

Imposing a ban on technology devices could “undermine children’s rights to access technology and appropriately designed education”, which are essential for their full development as they enter adulthood, academics warn.

While acknowledging that some vulnerable children may face serious risks from accessing harmful digital content, the team also noted that overly restrictive measures could have negative impacts on other vulnerable groups of children, increasing inequalities in access to technology and educational resources.

Researchers have expressed deep concern about the growing presence of content “optimized for the attention” of young users, designed to promote repeat usage.

They argue that these design models “deliberately discourage the formation of healthy technological habits”, thereby hindering the positive development of young people in the digital environment.

Minister for Science and Technology Peter Kyle has appointed Amy Orben – one of the leading experts in the field of technology and youth mental health research – to lead an in-depth research project into the impact of smartphones on children's mental health and wellbeing.

While she is considered an influential voice in the field, Orben emphasizes that she does not take any particular policy stance. Her work has been used by both advocates and opponents of bans, including the Australian government, which recently banned social media for children under 16.

Speaking to The Guardian, Orben said: "The impact of the digital world on young people is a complex issue that cannot be solved with single solutions. The project my team is working on aims to propose research directions to build a solid evidence base, rather than making specific policy recommendations."

“As an independent researcher, my role is to analyse and communicate data in an objective and clear way. In our article published in the BMJ, we highlight the essential role of a variety of approaches, from creating ‘tech-free’ spaces to promoting digital literacy and ensuring safety on online platforms. These elements, rather than mere prohibition, create a safe and healthy digital ecosystem for young people,” she added.

On the UK side, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is currently reviewing the guidance on banning smartphones in schools. A small group of schools are being closely monitored to assess the effectiveness of the current regulations.

Given the urgency of the issue, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a roundtable on March 31, where he stressed that the topic should be integrated into broader discussions within the education system, in order to raise awareness among students and parents.

However, he also frankly admitted that: "There is no single policy lever that can comprehensively address the potential impacts of technology on young people."