Council asks parents to not give under-14s a smartphone

A WELSH council is asking all parents in its area to delay giving their children a smartphone until at least the age of 14, and to avoid social media use until the age of 16.

- By ABBIE WIGHTWICK

The call from Ceredigion council comes as debate continues about whether the UK should follow Australia's ban on under-16s using social media.

It comes as the UK's largest teaching union, the NEU, also called for a social media ban for under-16s amid growing mental health concerns.

Ceredigion council said it began working with parents and schools last summer term to encourage families to sign a pact not to let children use social media until they are 16. It is now asking parents and carers directly to sign up to not giving their children smart phones until they're 14 and banning them from social media until they are 16 as part of a national campaign.

In a statement, Ceredigion said it is officially supporting the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, a national initiative which it says promotes a childhood “rooted in freedom, play, and meaningful face-to-face connection”.

Calling on parents and carers to sign the pledge, Ceredigion council said: “By delaying smartphone use, children are more likely to experience better mental wellbeing, improved focus, and more opportunities for face-to-face social engagement.

“The initiative also supports efforts to protect young people from online risks, including cyberbullying and harmful content,” the council said.