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Can you really make phones illegal for under 16s?

(40 Posts)
Glorianny Sun 26-May-24 11:03:51

I've asked GNHQ if they can merge the two threads. Hope it helps

GrannyGravy13 Sun 26-May-24 11:01:23

Mollygo

But banning smart phones for 16 year olds is a much easier suggestion than trying to tackle the dark web, the porn, the scams etc. which is what really needs doing.

Policing the dark web should be a priority, 17+ can be just as vulnerable as 16’s and under.

Why punish young people rather than the platforms peddling their rubbish

maddyone Sun 26-May-24 10:59:33

It would be impossible to enforce.

Mollygo Sun 26-May-24 10:56:52

But banning smart phones for 16 year olds is a much easier suggestion than trying to tackle the dark web, the porn, the scams etc. which is what really needs doing.

Mollygo Sun 26-May-24 10:52:53

It would, not it was!

Mollygo Sun 26-May-24 10:49:09

Can you really make phones illegal for under 16s? No, it was simply criminalise a lot of children and their parents.

Sarnia Sun 26-May-24 08:36:15

I agree with GrannyGravy13. Smartphones do have their uses for under 16's but the dark web needs constant supervision and sites being taken down far more rapidly than at present. My grandchildren have parental control locks on their phones so they are unable to access certain sites that are inappropriate.

Katie590 Sun 26-May-24 08:33:27

The Proposal is “smart phones” there is another thread in the same topic

GrannyGravy13 Sun 26-May-24 08:22:03

I would rather the new Cyber Security Bill (I think that’s the correct name) was enforced and the likes of meta, instagram, Snapchat etc were policed with more rigour.

Utilise safeguarding software, prosecute those peddling their wares on the so called dark web .

All the above are possible, no need to ban smartphones for under 16’s, as they have far more positive uses than negative ones.

MissInterpreted Sun 26-May-24 08:18:00

There's already another thread about this...
www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1336566-Smart-Phones

Doodledog Sun 26-May-24 07:30:45

It is. And so much now relies on access to the Internet that it seems unreasonable to expect 15 year olds to do without it. I don’t know- it’s a good idea to try to reduce the harm that unfettered access can cause, but I’m rarely in favour of ‘banning’ things as a solution to complex problems. It’s a knee-jerk approach that doesn’t get to the root of problems. In this case, all it would do is defer them, and would risk criminalising a lot of young people for not complying. What’s the point?

mumofmadboys Sun 26-May-24 07:21:56

It is hard to turn the clock back.

BlueBelle Sat 25-May-24 22:30:53

Well we managed to get through school without them Glorianny and our children managed to get through school without them so I really don’t see why we have to know they are on their way home do we ?
Is there already a thread about this I thought I saw one earlier?

Doodledog Sat 25-May-24 22:21:49

My understanding is that they are talking about smartphones, and that basic phones will continue to be legal for all.

Glorianny Sat 25-May-24 22:11:33

Apparently the education select committee have advised that the next government should make it illegal to own a phone until a child is 16. Is this really possible or even advisable? My 11 year old GD uses hers to let us know if she is out of school late, or just on her way home. She isn't allowed to use it in school but it gives her a little independence whilst reassuring us she is safe.