By James Connolly
A dad has revealed how he’s given his kids an old school Nokia ‘brick phone’ instead of a smartphone in a bid to keep them off social media.
Ben Pickles, 31, a teacher and father-of-two from Bradford, West Yorks., says fears over online addiction and harmful content drove his decision.
It comes as ministers in the UK launch a consultation on banning social media for under 16s and follows a landmark move from Australia to block youngsters from major platforms.
Ben chose the basic Nokia handset – capable of calls, texts and the classic game Snake – after long discussions with his wife Georgia.
He said: “My wife wasn’t sold at first. She thought it could cause social exclusion and was worried they’d miss out on events with friends.
“But I’ve taught in a secondary school for a decade and I see the difference social media makes to children.
“It almost takes their childhood away.”
The decision came as kids Leo, 11, and Layla, nine, hit the ages when many parents finally give in and hand over smartphones.
Ben said: “They are right at that primary to secondary transition when families have to think about it.
“They’ve just started walking home from school together, which is why I wanted them to have a phone.
“But I didn’t want it to be something addictive – it’s simply for ringing me and texting friends.”
He admitted he’s faced questions from eldest child Leo about when he will be allowed a smartphone like his peers.
Ben said: “The age that children are given their first smartphone is getting younger.
“I always thought it was around the transition from Year 6 and Year 7, but that seems to have changed.”
Ben, who has been a teacher for the last decade, described the changes in pupils in that time as “absolutely monumental”.
He said he’s noticed the effects of children getting less sleep due to social media – and the “anxiety” they feel in missing out on online life.
He said: “Social media existed before, but it wasn’t quite the beast it is now – screentime is rising exponentially.
“As a teacher, I see the effects every single day.”
Pointing to violent content, he said: “I also believe that as soon as a young mind sees something harmful – they can’t unsee it.
“You just can’t unsee really traumatising images.”
A campaign to curb kids’ access to social media in the UK is gathering pace, with ministers launching a consultation on whether under 16s should be banned.
It’s part of a package aimed at protecting young people’s wellbeing, amid mounting concerns mount over addiction and the influence of algorithms.
The debate has intensified since Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide ban on social media for under 16s in December.
Ben said he’d back a proposed ban for under 16s, insisting the UK should “emulate successes around the globe”.
He explained that his kids do have access to some tech – including the family iPad – although it does not have social apps.
But a recent experience with an online game reinforced his fears.
Ben said: “Within one day of downloading it, my daughter already had three messages – but she was only able to tell me who one of those messages was from.
“That scared me and reinforced my belief that what we’re doing is right for our children.
“This isn’t depriving them of something.
“This is saying – we’re the grown-ups in the room and we’re going to make that decision for them.”
He added: “It’s difficult as a parent to say no to something that everyone else has.
“I do want them to experience technology – but I don’t think unlimited access is a good thing.”
