Smartphone bans aren’t effective: 3 alternatives to keep pre-teens safe online

The question of how to manage pre-teens' access to smartphones is more pressing than ever.

As a parent, you may be concerned about excessive screen time, a decline in outdoor activities, or the potential stranger danger that lurks online, when allowing your child to use a smartphone.

These concerns are rising. So much so, that there has been an increase in calls recently to ban smartphone usage for pre-teens altogether, around the world.

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Why are calls for smartphone bans increasing?

Parents, educators, politicians, and even some psychology experts, have flagged the potential harms of smartphones and social media on adolescents’ mental health and wellbeing.

As with most technologies, smartphones and social media do carry some risks for pre-teens that parents must be aware of – from cyberbullying and violence to inappropriate and harmful content.

However, some commentators have gone as far to say that smartphones and social media are directly linked to an increase in anxiety and mental health challenges for pre-teens, which is not entirely true.

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Is social media actually linked to pre-teen mental health challenges?

The relationship between social media, smartphones, and pre-teen mental health is complex.

There are studies that shed light on the negative outcomes associated with their misuse. These include issues with body confidence and validation-seeking. However, other studies also point to some positive outcomes, such as the ability to connect with like-minded peers, find support, and engage in meaningful discussions.

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Why banning smartphones for pre-teens is not effective

The debate around smartphone and social media bans for pre-teens is similar to that of other ‘forbidden fruits’, such as alcohol.

Recent studies show that parents having a fully lenient attitude towards alcohol in the home leads to children drinking more in their later teens. However, other studies have shown that teens exposed to alcohol in moderate, supervised doses (otherwise known as the "European model") are less likely to engage in binge drinking as they mature.

When it comes to smartphones and social media, a blanket ban could actually end up being counterproductive. Saying ‘no’ completely may heighten pre-teens’ curiosity, and lead to sneakier, riskier behaviours, like using friends’ smartphones or creating secret social media accounts.

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3 ways to teach pre-teens about smartphone safety

1. Build trust and create a safe space for them to talk about smartphones with you
2. Allow access in small, supervised doses, and establish clear boundaries for screen time and activity
3. Address the five key risks – stranger danger, screentime, harmful content, cyberbullying and violence – through ongoing education and conversation

By fostering an environment where social media and smartphone usage can be discussed openly – and where education is normalised – parents can arm their children with essential digital literacy skills, for when they do join the online world.

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