Digital Dilemmas

Parents’ perspectives on restricting children’s smartphone and social media use

Our research shows that while children experience many benefits from using technology, they also frequently come to harm.

With recent debates about the role of smartphones and social media in young people’s lives, this new research seeks to include parents’ views and voices in the conversation.

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Key report findings

Views about restricting smartphones for children

66%

The majority (66%) of parents do not agree with a ban on smartphones for under-14s. Around a third of parents (32%) do agree with a ban.

74%

Most parents (74%) recognise enforcing a ban on smartphones for under-14s would be difficult. Parents highlighted how creative children can be with circumventing rules and recognised that not all families would adhere to a ban. Parents were also unclear how the ban could be policed.

75%

The majority (75%) of parents believe that the minimum age for smartphone use should be under 14. The average of responses was a minimum age of 11 years, 11 months – just one month less than 12 years of age.

Views about restricting social media for children

55%

Just over half (55%) of parents do not agree with a ban on social media for under-16s. However, parents are divided on this issue with a significant minority (44% of parents) supporting a ban.

56%

Parents of primary age children are more likely to agree with a ban on social media for children under-16s, than parents of secondary age children (56% compared to 33%).