Sonia Livingstone, a professor at the London School of Economics who specializes in the influence of digital technologies on young people, indicates that the impact of smartphone bans in schools is not well understood. Limited research in this area yields inconsistent outcomes. According to Livingstone, while some evidence suggests that restricting phone access can enhance concentration, it is challenging to ascertain if such bans effectively reduce bullying or encourage more play, highlighting a gap in research.
Livingstone notes the complexity in assessing the effects of smartphones on issues like bullying, mental health, sleep, exercise, and concentration. She emphasizes that other factors, such as the scarcity of mental health services for young people and inadequate pay and conditions for teachers, tend to be overshadowed by the focus on smartphone bans. While smartphones might be part of the broader issue, they are often seen as an obvious and actionable target.
A proposed new bill aims to increase the age of consent for allowing social media companies to utilize data from 13 to 16 years. MacAllister discussed on the Today show the notion that creating versions of apps and smartphones suited for those under 16 could facilitate engagement in real-world activities. The UK passed the Online Safety Act in 2023 to protect children from certain content, though many of its provisions are yet to be implemented.
Pete Etchells, a professor at Bath Spa University and author of Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time, suggests that instead of focusing solely on bans, legislators should work towards teaching children healthier interactions with technology and holding tech companies accountable. Designing better digital technologies and supporting users in understanding their use are necessary steps, according to Etchells.
He further argues against simplistic views, such as assuming that limiting screen time will naturally lead to increased outdoor activities. He cites a South Korean law from 2011 that prohibited online gaming for children between midnight and 6 a.m.; after four years, the measure had no significant effect on internet usage or sleeping patterns, leading to its repeal in 2021.
Etchells warns against viewing smartphone restrictions as the primary solution to the challenges faced by young people today. He stresses that, according to mental health professionals and researchers, there is no single root cause for improvements or declines in these areas. Conclusively, relying on smartphone restrictions could be a simplistic rather than a comprehensive response.