Kids on phones warning
PARENTS do not know enough about regulating their children’s smartphone use, experts warned yesterday, despite growing levels of depression, inattention and sleep deprivation from excessive screen time.
The call for clear education and guidelines followed demands that Apple help curb screen addiction, with two multi-billion dollar share- holders saying it was “both unrealistic and a poor long-term strategy to ask parents to fight this battle alone”.
But while a more collaborative approach could emerge, education experts said parents should not rely completely on software controls but set clear boundaries and enforce them.
The latest smartphone debate arose after activist investment group Jana Partners and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, which control more than $2.5 billion in Apple stock, issued an open letter calling for changes to iPhone parental controls.
“We believe there is a clear need for Apple to offer parents more choices and tools to help them ensure that young consumers are using your products in an optimal manner,” the letter read.
“By doing so, we believe Apple would once again be playing a pioneering role, this time by setting an example about the obligations of technology companies to their youngest customers.”
The group said Apple should establish an expert committee to study the issue, provide information to researchers, and create new tools to limit children’s use of Apple iPhones, “just as most products are made safer for younger users”.
Apple said it had looked out for kids”.
“We take this responsibility “always very seriously and we are committed to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to protecting kids,” the statement read.
Australian Parents Council president Shelley Hill said regulating children’s smartphone use was problematic, and a “collaborative” approach was needed from smartphone makers, social media companies, educators and parents.
Ms Hill said parents were in a difficult position because of antiquated guidelines for the use of smartphones and increasing technological demands from children and schools.
Cyber safety educator Leonie Smith said parents should set rules for their children before letting them use the devices, should keep phones out of bedrooms until their early teen years, and should keep discussions positive.