EE Launches Age Guidance for Smartphone Usage to Improve Children’s Digital Wellbeing
EE is taking a significant step to safeguard children in the digital world by introducing age-specific guidance for smartphone usage. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns among parents about screen time, online safety, and how digital device usage can affect child wellbeing.
EE’s new guidance is targeted at under 16-year-olds and offers tailored advice for three distinct age groups: under 11s, 11-13, and 13-16-year-olds. This advice is designed to ensure that children can stay connected while staying safe online.
Device Usage Guidelines by Age Group
- Under 11s: EE recommends that children under 11 should use non-smart devices with limited capabilities, such as feature phones. These devices allow for basic communication through texts and calls but restrict access to social media and other potentially harmful content.
- 11-13 Years Old: For this age group, EE advises that if a smartphone is to be used, parental controls should be enabled, and a family-sharing app like Google Family Link or Apple Family Sharing should be in place. Access to social media should also be restricted.
- 13-16 Years Old: EE suggests that smartphones are appropriate for this age group, but with parental controls still in place. Social media access can be granted but should be linked to a parent or guardian’s account to monitor and manage usage.
This move has been welcomed by online safety organisations, including Internet Matters, a leading child safety charity. Internet Matters CEO Carolyn Bunting praised the initiative, stating, “This initiative is timely and much needed. Parents and guardians want their children to stay connected and experience the benefits of digital technology, but they are also concerned about online safety and wellbeing.”
EE’s Broader Efforts to Promote Digital Wellbeing
EE’s age-specific guidance is part of a broader strategy to promote safe and responsible technology use among young people. The company has enhanced its existing PhoneSmart platform, adding new content and modules specifically for parents, offering guidance on being safe and kind online. Additionally, EE is launching a national school campaign to educate young people about responsible digital use.
Additional Measures Include:
- Enhanced In-App Controls: EE is offering easy-to-find parental control features to help parents better manage and monitor their children’s device usage.
- Child-Friendly Products: EE has partnered with Verve Connect to offer the Dash+ feature phone, exclusively available to EE customers. This device is designed for talking and texting, striking a balance between connectivity and safety. EE also offers the Xplora X6 Play smartwatch, an ideal introduction to a first phone experience.
- Educational Resources: EE is providing comprehensive resources for parents, teachers, and children to promote responsible smartphone use and online safety.
- Family Online Safety Hub: EE will launch a dedicated platform later this year, featuring product recommendations, guides, and FAQs to assist families in navigating the digital landscape securely.
- Volunteering & Staff Training: EE is enhancing retail staff training and launching a staff volunteer program later this year to further support families in managing their children’s digital wellbeing.
Mat Sears, Corporate Affairs Director for EE, commented, “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognise the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers. They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines on smartphone usage for under 11s, 11-13-year-olds, and 13-16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years.”
EE’s age guidance initiative is a proactive step towards ensuring children can enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe and healthy in the digital world.
