The NSPCC has given parents advice on when to give their child a mobile phone but says it does not have a recommended age for a child’s first phone, saying it depends on the individual.
Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC, said: “Children and young people use social media to learn, connect with friends, and access confidential advice and support.
“We believe that blanket bans on under 16s accessing these services would not only undermine teenagers’ rights to take part in online activity, but could drive them to less secure, unregulated spaces which may put them at greater risk.”
However, she stressed the need for protection from daily harm on social media platforms.
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NSPCC research states that choosing when to give a child their first mobile phone is one of the hardest decisions a parent will make, with 36 per cent saying it ranked equally as hard as choosing which school their children should go to.
Almost one in 10 parents spend five months or more discussing when to buy their child their first phone.
The children’s charity has said that, when it comes to mobile phones, each child is different so there is no standard average age.
Mr Govender added: “Instead of the onus being put on children, tech companies need to design and implement robust safety features on their sites to tackle the risks young people face.
“Services must be held accountable for delivering safe, age-appropriate experiences for children, including by effectively enforcing the current minimum age limits on their platforms.
“And it is vital that Government and Ofcom work together to ensure the powers are in place to hold services accountable for delivering this.”
