EE warns parents not to give children smartphones until they reach secondary school: "They need support"

That is the message from one of the UK’s largest phone providers, which has also vowed to take matters into its own hands. EE bosses have advised that children under the age of 11 should not have mobiles that allow them to access the internet and social media.

It comes after an Ofcom study found that a quarter of five to seven-year-olds now own a smartphone. EE say that if children this age are given a phone, it should only be capable of sending and receiving phone calls and text messages.

Mat Sears, corporate affairs director for EE, said: “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 to 13-year-olds, and 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children through these formative years.”

The new guidance says children aged 11-13 should have family sharing capabilities installed on their first phone. This allows parents to monitor screen time, track app usage and set time limits for specific applications.

Children aged 13-16 should be allowed to join social media, but the guidance suggests this should be linked to a parent or guardian account. Parental controls should also be used to manage access to inappropriate sites, content and platforms, the advice says.

Staff will be trained on the new guidance in the coming days and weeks, although smartphone sales will not be age-restricted, EE added.

Recent reports have suggested that excessive smartphone use could be linked to mental health issues among teenagers and unrestricted internet access might expose young children to online harm. Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, has campaigned for an age limit to smartphone usage and stricter controls on access to social media apps.

In February, the previous government gave schools in England non-statutory guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during school hours.

Carolyn Bunting, chief executive of online safety group Internet Matters, said: “This initiative is timely and much-needed. Parents and guardians want their children to be able to stay connected with them and to experience the benefits of digital technology, but they are also concerned about online safety and wellbeing.

“Our recent research showed that parents want to make their own decisions about their children’s use of technology, but that many would value guidance to help them in doing so. It is fantastic that EE is supporting parents with age-specific advice to support children’s diverse technology needs.”