EE tells parents: don't give under-11s smartphones

Published On Aug 25, 2024, 10:09 AM

EE, one of the UK's largest mobile network providers, is advising parents not to give smartphones to children under 11 in a bid to enhance 'digital wellbeing'. The company suggests that such children should use 'non-smart' phones that only allow texting and calling, as they believe smartphones contribute to mental health issues and harmful content exposure. EE's guidance follows rising concerns over children's smartphone use, with research indicating nearly a quarter of young children own smartphones and many use social media against age guidelines. While EE supports smartphone use for children 11 and older, they advocate for careful monitoring of social media access and usage.