There’s been a lot of talk lately about banning smartphones for kids under 16. On the surface, it sounds like a simple solution to all the issues we hear about—social media dangers, screen addiction, cyberbullying, and declining mental health. But is an outright ban really the best way forward? I don’t think so.

The World Isn’t Black and White

It would be lovely if every problem had a straightforward solution, but life doesn’t work like that. The idea that banning smartphones will magically fix all the issues kids face today is naive at best. Yes, smartphones come with risks, but they also come with a huge number of benefits—communication, education, safety, and even social connection.

Education, Not Prohibition

History has shown us time and time again that banning something rarely works the way we want it to. Think about the prohibition era—did banning alcohol stop people from drinking? Not at all. It just drove it underground. The same will happen with smartphones. Kids will find ways to access them, but without any guidance on how to use them responsibly.

Instead of banning smartphones, we should be teaching children how to use them wisely. Digital literacy, online safety, and critical thinking should be just as important as maths and English. Teaching kids how to navigate the online world safely is far more beneficial than pretending we can shield them from it altogether.

The Safety Factor

Let’s be real—smartphones can be a lifeline. Many parents (myself included) feel much safer knowing our kids can contact us at any time. Whether they’re walking home from a friend’s house or caught in an emergency, a smartphone provides reassurance.

Not only that, but smartphones help children stay connected with family. In an era where families are often spread out across different cities (or even countries), video calls and instant messaging are a godsend. Why should we take that away?

The Limitations of a ‘Dumb’ Phone

Some argue that children should have basic ‘dumb’ phones instead—ones that only allow calls and texts. While this might seem like a compromise, it comes with limitations. Many essential apps, such as navigation tools, educational resources, and secure messaging services, aren’t available on these devices. A dumb phone won’t help a child use Google Maps if they get lost or let them check in with their parents via a location-sharing app.

Also, communication is more than just calling and texting. Many teens and pre-teens use group chats for school projects, sports teams, and extracurricular activities. Expecting them to function without access to these tools puts them at a disadvantage compared to their peers.

On top of that, many everyday necessities are now digital. Bus tickets, travel passes, and even banking services are often app-based, making a smartphone almost essential for independence. Without one, kids could struggle with simple tasks like topping up a bus card or managing their pocket money.

Social Life in the Digital Age

For many kids, smartphones are a way to stay in touch with friends. We can moan about “back in our day, we just knocked on a mate’s door,” but times have changed. Much of today’s social interaction happens online, and while excessive screen time is an issue, socialising through digital platforms isn’t inherently bad.

Cutting kids off from their social circles by banning smartphones could leave them feeling isolated, especially if all their friends still have them. The world is digital now, and rather than resisting it, we should be finding ways to help kids navigate it safely.

A Parenting Issue, Not a Government Issue

The idea of banning smartphones for under-16s assumes a one-size-fits-all approach, but parenting doesn’t work like that. Every child is different. Some kids may be responsible enough for a smartphone at 10, while others might not be ready until 15. That’s for parents to decide—not the government.

Personally, my older children have smartphones, but there are clear rules in place. I do regular spot checks every couple of days to see what they’ve been doing, and they aren’t allowed to delete messages or clear their search history. Their phones are also connected to Google Family Link, so I can monitor what apps they download, and access to adult content is restricted. This way, they have the freedom to use their phones responsibly, but I can still guide and protect them.

Of course, there will always be the odd bad egg—kids who break the rules, parents who don’t monitor, and those who use technology irresponsibly. But if more parents took an active role in monitoring their children’s online activity, setting boundaries, and having open conversations about safety, it would make a significant difference. Rather than relying on a blanket ban, a collective effort from parents to stay involved and engaged would go a long way in ensuring kids use technology responsibly.

And let’s not pretend that banning smartphones suddenly removes all risks. Children will still have access to the internet through computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and even their friends’ devices. Smartphones are not the only way that bad things happen online. Instead of focusing purely on banning one device, we should be looking at broader digital education and parental involvement across all platforms.

What we should be doing is helping parents feel more confident in managing their kids’ screen time. More resources on parental controls, open discussions about social media, and guidance on setting healthy boundaries would be far more effective than an outright ban.

So, What’s the Answer?

Instead of banning smartphones, let’s focus on:

• Education – Teaching kids digital literacy, online safety, and responsible usage.
• Parental Guidance – Encouraging parents to set clear boundaries and model good screen habits.
• Balance – Promoting a healthy mix of online and offline activities.
• Better Tech Regulations – Holding social media companies accountable for child safety rather than just punishing kids for using their platforms.

A ban is a lazy solution to a complex problem. Instead of making smartphones the enemy, let’s focus on giving kids the skills they need to use them wisely.

What do you think? Should smartphones be banned for under-16s, or is there a better way? Let me know in the comments!