UK "Excessive Smart Device Use by Children... Considering Ban on Sales to Under 16s"

Concerns are mounting in the UK over excessive smartphone use among children, prompting authorities to consider banning sales to those under 16.

Ofcom, the UK's communications and media regulator, announced on the 19th (local time) that 24% of children aged 5 to 7 own a smartphone, and 76% use a tablet PC.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Among this age group, 65% go online to send messages or make voice and video calls, and 50% watch live streaming content.

The proportion of 5 to 7-year-olds using social networking services (SNS) was 38%.

Usage rates were highest for WhatsApp at 37%, followed by TikTok at 30%, and Instagram at 22%. Although these platforms generally set the minimum age for use at 13, this is not strictly enforced in practice.

Only two out of five parents with children in this age group supervised their children's SNS use, while 32% allowed them to use it alone, according to the survey.

From adolescence, most have mobile phones, and SNS use increases sharply with age.

The mobile phone ownership rate was 61% for ages 8 to 11 and 96% for ages 12 to 15.

It was found that 63% of 8 to 11-year-olds, 92% of 12 to 15-year-olds, and 95% of 16 to 17-year-olds engage in SNS activities.

As a result, there has been growing demand in the UK recently for stricter regulations on smartphone and SNS use by minors.

The Guardian and The Telegraph reported, citing sources, that the cabinet is considering a plan to ban smartphone sales to those under 16.

A survey conducted last month by the civic group Parentkind of 2,500 parents found that 58% believe the government should ban smartphones for those under 16.

However, there are many criticisms that this measure would be ineffective. The BBC pointed out that since those under 18 in the UK cannot enter into contracts with telecom companies directly, most mobile phones used by minors are likely provided by their parents.