In my school district there is a growing movement called “Unplugged Canada”, calling for the delay of smartphones until the age of 14 (at the earliest). Their website features resources, information and a pledge for families/schools to sign. As a grade 7 teacher, I notice the significant impacts that smartphones have on my students. The biggest concern being social media, which can lead to bullying, communication with predators, and access to content not developmentally appropriate for their age. What do you feel is an appropriate age to let a child have a smartphone? Are flip phones or dumb phones a good alternative?
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This is a very important and timely discussion. Research consistently links early and unsupervised smartphone use to increased risks of cyberbullying, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns (Twenge, 2019; UNICEF, 2021). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2016) also emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate digital boundaries and co-use strategies with parents. I’ve seen in my own teaching practice how early smartphone use can amplify challenges around attention, social-emotional development, and peer relationships. At the same time, introducing limited-function devices or “dumb phones” offers a balanced pathway—supporting communication without the risks of unrestricted social media access. Initiatives like Unplugged Canada raise valuable questions about how we define readiness and digital literacy for young learners, echoing OECD findings that structured, age-appropriate exposure is key to positive digital outcomes (OECD, 2021).
This is a good discussion question!
In various countries such as Australia, they limit social media under 16 years old. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/sep/24/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-could-extend-reddit-twitch-roblox-lego-play-steam-dating-apps
There are also several articles that explain negative effect of social media to young kids’ brain.
One questions I have is by limiting social media on the young kids, are they missing out on anything? For example, I started using internet around the age of 12 and although social media didn’t exist back then (I feel old!) , I interacted with people around the world and I feel this has developed my digital literacy skill.
To me the rise of these groups and initiatives is a very positive sign, and my MET program experience has reinforced my belief that smartphones and social media need to be regulated for kids, similar to driving, controlled substances, and other potentially harmful consumer products.
Love it. Implement. What are we waiting for!