Experts also question a hard age limit for smartphone ownership. “A ban on phones or social media for young people is not the solution,” says Esther Hammelberg, media scientist at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. “Other measures are needed to tackle this problem.”
Awareness and regulation
Hammelberg compares it with candy. “That is not necessarily good for you either, but we don’t say: you can’t eat it until you’re fifteen. It is better to create consciousness, to regulate the offer and use use in certain places and moments, such as at school. In this way young people learn to deal with their smartphone in a healthy way. “
She sees that parents make mutual agreements not to give their children up to a certain age. “That also happens at my children’s school. Good that this conversation is being held. But the complete prohibition of smartphones for young people? I don’t agree with that. “