SMARTPHONES should be banned for all under-18s, the Children’s Commissioner said yesterday.
Rachel de Souza said tech giants were robbing children of their innocence by failing to police their own platforms.
GettySmartphones should be banned for all under-18s, says the Children’s Commissioner[/caption]
She accused social media firms of recklessly exposing youngsters to harmful content through unchecked algorithms.
She said: “There is a strong argument for making sure we delay giving internet connected phones to children.
“There are terrible things you can see on these adult apps.”
She added: “If the tech companies don’t regulate and clear up the space… I would go further and say no under-18s should have smartphones”.
The Children’s Commissioner urged Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to follow Australia’s lead in imposing a blanket ban on social media for under-16s.
She said: “I would love for us to adopt the Australian model.” Currently, children as young as 13 can sign up for platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The Online Safety Act legally obligates tech firms to remove harmful material, but campaigners warn that vast amounts of damaging content still slip through the cracks.
Last year, Mr Kyle suggested he was open to tougher restrictions, but he has since softened his stance.
Speaking to The Sun earlier this year, he cautioned: “For children facing challenges in life, some social media platforms can be a vital lifeline.
“Childline, for instance, increasingly relies on these services to reach vulnerable young people who need support. We must tread carefully.”
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