Working Together for Healthy Digital Childhoods
Earlier this month, the government announced a ban on social media use by children under the age of 16. The announcement follows a consultation earlier this year on improving children's relationship with mobile phones and social media and the ban is expected to be in place by early 2027.
It will probably come as a relief to most parents that they will have more time to help their children develop the skills needed to navigate their way through the digital world that is and will be very much part of their lives. However, it is worth thinking not only about social media platforms but also about messaging services. Because while apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, Discord, Messenger and others can seem harmless, there are good reasons why, aside from the risks of online harms, primary-aged children should be avoiding them.
Messaging services put children in situations which they may not be emotionally equipped to handle. Even in group chats made up of classmates, misunderstandings can quickly escalate into arguments, exclusion or bullying. Young children are still developing the social and emotional skills needed to navigate these situations effectively.
As adults we know too well the feeling of being constantly connected and constantly available. Young children are likely to feel anxious if they do not respond immediately to messages or if they see conversations continuing without them. This might lead to stress and difficulties switching off, particularly in the evenings. Ideally, childhood should be full of time for play, family interaction, hobbies and sleep, which is difficult to achieve when there is an expectation to be connected.
For young children, school years are a critical period for learning how to communicate, empathise and become resilient through direct, real-world interactions. Children benefit enormously from spending time with friends, participating in clubs and activities, and building relationships without the mediation of screens. Introducing messaging services too early can undermine these opportunities and encourage reliance on digital communication before our children are ready.
Most parents are digital natives and well used to using parental controls to protect their children. However, messaging platforms can make it easy for strangers to initiate contact or gain access through shared groups, gaming communities or mutual connections. Restricting access to messaging services significantly reduces these risks.
My intention in writing to you is not to tell you how to parent - you do an incredible job of that. Rather, to ask that you avoid giving the children access to messaging services which they aren't quite ready or mature enough to navigate. The digital world is here to stay and is brilliant in so many ways. By focusing on a sensible amount of age-appropriate digital experiences, establishing healthy boundaries and gradually introducing online communication as children mature, we have a better chance of preparing children for their future. By delaying access to messaging services during their primary years, we can help children develop the confidence, judgement and emotional resilience they will need to navigate the online world safely when they are older.