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Mobile Phones
We are increasingly concerned about the impact of smartphones on our children and young people. They are great for finding information and staying connected with family and friends, however, there is an alarming amount of evidence that highlights the negative impact that unfiltered internet access, social media (including group messaging through apps like WhatsApp) and online gaming have on children and young people.
Research tells us that age 11-15 is the age group when children are at their most vulnerable to potential negative influences. Developmentally their brains are not ready to navigate the unfiltered world that they are sadly exposed to when engaging with social media, online gaming and unfiltered internet content.
These include:
- Poor mental health, such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
- Issues with cyberbullying, attention, focus and sleep.
- Exposure to dangerous and harmful content, and inappropriate material; and
- Smartphones can be highly addictive, so time spent on a device reduces time spent playing, interacting and developing vital social skills.
- The distraction of having a continual stream of notifications.
The teenage years are crucial for brain development, and the younger a child has access to a smartphone or any other device that enables them to access the internet unfiltered/controlled and/or social media, the more harm it can cause.
All parents must actively control their child’s access to the internet, social media and online gaming.
We have created the following guidance for parents; we urge you to read it carefully take action to safeguard your child from harm. Within it you can also find details of our Mobile Phone Policy.