Jesus. Another day, another moral panic about smartphones. The Children's Commissioner dropped a bombshell yesterday that's got parents everywhere either nodding vigorously or laughing into their coffee mugs.
Rachel de Souza (who I actually met at a conference back in 2019—lovely woman, terrible at small talk) has basically declared war on smartphones for anyone under 18. Not content with just wagging her finger at social media, she's gone nuclear on the entire concept of kids having phones that connect to teh internet.
What's Her Deal, Anyway?
De Souza didn't mince words. She accused tech giants of basically stealing childhood innocence because they can't be bothered to police their own platforms. Strong stuff. And honestly? After watching my 14-year-old nephew scroll through content that made even me uncomfortable last Christmas, I'm not entirely sure she's wrong.
"There is a strong argument for making sure we delay giving internet connected phones to children," she said, adding that "There are terrible things you can see on these adult apps."
No shit, Commissioner.
The Australian Solution (Or Is It?)
She's practically begging Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to follow Australia's example and slam down a blanket ban for under-16s on social media platforms. "I would love for us to adopt the Australian model," she gushed.
Listen. I spent $3,200 on a family trip to Australia last summer. Lovely country. But copying their policies without understanding our different social contexts feels... lazy? My sister-in-law works with troubled teens in Manchester, and she'd have a coronary hearing this. Some of those kids literally only have social connections through their phones.
Remember When We Panicked About TV?
This whole thing reminds me of my dad confiscating our TV remote in 1995 because he read some article about brain rot. Three weeks later, I was the only kid at school who couldn't discuss what happened on Friends. Social death!
Currently, kids as young as 13 can sign up for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The Online Safety Act supposedly forces tech companies to remove harmful content, but everyone and their mother knows that's about as effective as using a kitchen strainer to bail out the Titanic.
Kyle's Surprising Moment of Sanity
Interestingly, Kyle seems to have softened his stance recently. After making tough-guy noises last year about cracking down, he told The Sun: "For children facing challenges in life, some social media platforms can be a vital lifeline."
He actually mentioned Childline using these platforms to reach vulnerable kids who need help. "We must tread carefully," he added.
Well, dammit. When the politician is the voice of reason, you know we're living in strange times.
What About, I Don't Know... PARENTS?!
The thing nobody seems to be talking about is parental responsibility. My friend Diane (mother of three) texted me after seeing this news: "So I'm supposed to tell my 17-year-old who manages her diabetes app, revision schedule, and part-time job through her phone that the government thinks she can't handle Instagram? Good f***ing luck with that conversation."
Poor Diane.
I feel like we're missing the bigger picture here. Banning smartphones for under-18s is like banning cars because teenagers might drive too fast. Education, supervision, and gradual independence seem... obvious? But what do I know—I killed three houseplants last month.
The Bottom Line (That Nobody Wants to Admit)
Technology isn't going anywhere. Neither are teenagers' desperate need to connect with peers. Putting these two facts together and coming up with "total ban" as the solution feels like something dreamed up by someone who hasn't actually spoken to a teenager since 2007.
Or maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
What's your take? Are smartphones the devil's plaything or just another tool we need to teach kids to use responsibly? Because I'm pretty sure my parents thought my Walkman would rot my brain, and somehow I turned out... well, functional enough to write this, at least.
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- In 2022, over 30 countries experienced significant protests related to political issues, highlighting a global trend of civil unrest and demands for accountability.
- As of 2023, approximately 25% of countries have implemented some form of digital voting, reflecting the shift towards technology in the electoral process.
- As of 2023, public trust in government institutions has declined, with only 20% of citizens expressing confidence in their national governments.
- Historically, voter turnout among young people (ages 18-29) increased by 50% from the previous election cycle in the 2020 presidential election.
- Data reveals that around 40% of the global population lives under some form of authoritarian regime, affecting their political freedoms.
- According to recent studies, around 75% of Americans believe that campaign financing significantly impacts election outcomes.
- Research indicates that social media platforms play a role in shaping public opinion, with 70% of users getting their news from these sources.
- Surveys show that nearly 70% of voters prioritize environmental issues when selecting candidates for public office.
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https://hellofaread.com/politics/trumps-fury-white-house-security-team-gets-the-boot-after-loomers-oval-office-ambush
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