Sonia Livingstone’s Post

China's internet regulator has proposed new regulations aimed at limiting children's screen time and controlling the content they access on smartphones and apps. If implemented, these regulations would require smartphone manufacturers, app developers, and app stores to incorporate a "minor mode" into their products. This mode would restrict the amount of time children can spend on their phones and curate age-appropriate content for them. The proposal suggests that children under the age of 8 would be limited to 40 minutes of smartphone usage per day, with the allowed time gradually increasing as they get older. The intention is to combat "internet addiction" and promote healthy online behavior among young users. Additionally, apps would be required to tailor their content to different age groups, offering educational and positive entertainment options. While some smartphones and apps already have features to limit children's usage, China's proposal would add an extra layer of parental control. However, challenges exist in effectively enforcing such measures, and concerns have been raised about who gets to determine what constitutes appropriate content for different age groups. Public opinions on the proposal are mixed. Some people support the move, citing concerns about the negative impact of unrestricted internet access on children's behavior and language. Others, though, criticize the proposal as overly strict and argue that addressing the reasons behind excessive smartphone use should also be considered. China has previously implemented restrictions on video game playtime and livestreaming for children, reflecting the government's ongoing efforts to regulate and guide children's online activities. #ChildSafety #DigitalWellbeing #ParentalControl #ScreenTimeLimits #HealthyOnlineBehavior #InternetRegulation #ChildrensContent #OnlineSafety #MinorMode #AgeAppropriateContent #InternetAddiction #YouthDigitalEtiquette #SmartphoneUsage #PositiveEntertainment #ParentingInDigitalAge #TechRegulations #ChildrensOnlinePrivacy #DigitalParenting #Nomophobia #YouthInternetGuidance #OnlineBehaviorManagement

“I’m a parent. Whilst I know giving a smartphone to my kid will likely be car crash… it’s inevitable right?” 🧐 ❌ Wrong ❌ It’s time we all acted like adults on this rather than 🐑 What can you do? 1. Read (or at least read YouTube) Haidts new book ‘The Anxious Generation’ 2. Unify parents in your child’s class/year group via a video call - agree what’s best and present this to the Headteacher. They will be all ears. Push for no smartphones in Primary. None (ideally) before 16. Be bold. 3. Educate your child. Watch the Social Dilemma with them. Tell them you’re sorry that we’ve messed up since 2010 (when smartphones became mainstream) and we need to be better. 4. Be a role model. No phones in front of your kids unless it’s essential (for clarity, Instagram, LinkedIn and most work emails aren’t essential… Don’t even touch TikTok…) 5. Push the message and use your position - whatever it may be - to push themes like https://lnkd.in/gp8kfinv - these guys are great and will change the UK for the better. #smartphonefreechildhood 6. Dream of a world where children - and adults - are more interested in the nuance of your facial expression or cloud formations than ‘likes’ (whatever they actually are). We can make this world. Be bold and be the change your child needs you to be.

Interesting article from the Cork paper the #Echo on the topic of smartphones- 6 reasons you can tell your child why they won’t be getting a smartphone: My fave reason? 👇🏻👇🏻 “It’s the Law “In Ireland, users must be 16 years of age, the age of digital consent, before a social media or internet company can collect, process, and store their data. However, the digital age of consent is higher than the age you need to be to create a social media profile on platforms such as Snapchat or Instagram. TikTok has a 12+ rating and is listed as “Parental Guidance Recommended”. The minimum age for using WhatsApp is 16 years old. Teenagers between 13 and 16 years old must have parental permission to sign-up but it’s easy to bypass age restrictions by lying at registration. So technically children under the age of 13 should not have a social media account. Therefore, if you don’t want to play bad cop denying your child a much-coveted smartphone and access to social media, blame the law and offer a flip phone as an alternative. 👇🏻 See more here 👇🏻

Today I briefly spoke on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Adelaide 891 about the need to reform access to social media at the legal level. It reminded me of a blog post I wrote seven (yes 7!) years ago that didn’t get a lot of traction in my readership but was very on point - it still reads as well today as it did then, around holding back the tidal wave that is teens with smartphones. The radio segment was about Peter Malinauskas appointing a Supreme Court Justice to look at what needs to be done. This is EXACTLY who needs to look at the issue, as we need limitations of law in place to stop children accessing online content on smartphones as well as smart TVs and other digital devices. The problem is MASSIVE, but with measures at all levels from the law down to parent education, improvements can be made that will protect our children better than what we are doing now. Have a read - the only thing I need to update is the ban on mobile phones in schools. BLOG POST: Your Kid & Smartphones - What's the Big Deal? In a technology-centric society it seems natural to give a child their own phone. Read about why this is one of the most important parenting decisions you'll make, and how to make your life easier in the process. https://lnkd.in/gauvZydj

France must curb child, teen use of smartphones, social media, says panel "Children under 11 should be barred from having a cellphone while the use of smartphones with internet access should be prohibited for anyone under 13 years old, they said in a report. Social media apps should be forbidden for anyone under 15, they added, and minors over 15 should only have access to platforms deemed "ethical". Lawmakers would be tasked with deciding what platforms could be considered as such, they said." Don't agree with the government creating these kinds of rules, educating, informing, recommending yes ... making rules and enforcing them ... no. Servane Mouton and Amine Benyamina and the others involved are offering solid advice ... but we need education, awareness and flexibility to allow our children independent choices based on their unique situations imo. #Cyberpsychology #leadership #education #governance #parenting #rights https://lnkd.in/e7e5ERKm

This is rather exciting. A bit of a departure from the day job but something equally close to my heart as I raise 2 girls in the world of tech. #smartphonefreechildhood is a movement to challenge the norm that children need a smartphone. Smartphones have been directly linked to poor mental health and low self-esteem, especially in girls. And social media use in teens correlates directly to rates of anxiety and depression. It opens children up to a huge world of risk and simply stops them playing. By the age of 11, just 17% of children don't have a phone. Clare & Daisy set up the campaign to encourage parents not to give their children smartphones until at least the age of 14, and to restrict access to social media until at least the age of 16. What started as a WhatsApp group has quickly snowballed into thousands of parents joining the movement and there is now a group for pretty much every school in the country, allowing parents to join together and start a conversation. I appreciate the irony of a campaign on social media to reduce use of social media (!) and there are certainly positives to smartphone use, but not until a child's brain is fully developed enough to handle the world that it opens them up to. Join the conversation by finding your local group, or setting one up https://lnkd.in/dYpRkvkw

Psychologist Adam Grant raises a crucial question about the impact of smartphones on children's mental health. While there's no definitive answer, it clear that parents need to consider a range of factors before introducing their child to a smartphone. Wranga also believe in one thing that is non-negotiable is ensuring the safety of kids online. As we move ahead, let us keep prioritizing both children's mental health and online safety. #TingMe #ChildOnlineProtection #MentalHealthAwareness.

New key findings from Pew Research Center: How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time: ▪️ Phone-less: 72% of U.S. teens say they often or sometimes feel peaceful when they don’t have their smartphone; 44% say it makes them feel anxious. ▪️ Good for hobbies, less so for socialization: 69% of teens say smartphones make it easier for youth to pursue hobbies and interests; fewer (30%) say it helps people their age learn good social skills. ▪️ Parental snooping: Half of parents say they have looked through their teen’s phone. ▪️ Smartphone standoffs: About four-in-ten parents and teens report regularly arguing with one another about time spent on their phone. ▪️ Distracted parenting: Nearly half of teens (46%) say their parent is at least sometimes distracted by their phone when they’re trying to talk to them. https://lnkd.in/gbsPPhEd #DigitalWellness #Screentime

  A Tough Choice: First Phone vs. First School The decision to give a child their first mobile phone is as challenging as choosing a school, according to fresh insights from Vodafone's latest research. As Vodafone joins forces with the NSPCC to launch a comprehensive online resource, parents grapple with the quandary of when to introduce their children to the world of smartphones. #BuyingChildrensFirstPhone #ChildsFirstMobilePhone #FirstPhoneDecisionDilemma #NavigatingChildrensDigitalTransition #NSPCCPartnershipwithVodafone #OnlineSafetyforChildrensPhones #ParentalConcernsandExcitement #ParentalConfidenceinOnlineSafety #UKParentsandChildPhones #VodafoneNSPCCOnlineResources #YourChildsFirstPhone

Psychologist Adam Grant recently stated in a tweet, ''The earlier kids get smartphones, the worse their mental health as adults. Smartphones should wait until high school.'' Every child's development is different and a single number can't be used to decide whether or not a child is ready for their first smartphone. https://loom.ly/kKzw-5s One thing is clear though. TINGME protects your children with its extensive safety features and transparency for parents. https://loom.ly/OfzptCQ #TingMe #Tingmeworld #childonlineprotection #childonlinesafety #childrenonlinesafety #socialmedia #socialmediasafety #socialmediaawareness #childsafetyonline #childsafetyawareness #kidsonlinesafety #safesocialmedia #safesocials #safesocialforkids #socialmediaforkids #foreverychild #onlinesafetybill #onlinesafetyforkids #onlinesafety #childrenssafety #onlinesafetyadvice #parentingsupport #mentalhealthawareness #childrensmentalhealth #protectchildren #childabuseawareness #cyberbullyingawareness #cyberbullying