Does the social media ban debate miss the bigger issue?
© yanlev Adobe Stock
As the debate continues around proposals to ban social media for under-16s, Ben Humphrey, founder of child-first smartphone company Sayph, believes the discussion is missing a much bigger point:
"Children deserve their own category of technology."
While politicians, regulators and platforms debate whether 13 or 16 is the appropriate age for social media access, Ben argues that parents have been presented with a false choice for years: either give a child a fully featured adult smartphone or deny them meaningful technology altogether.
His view is that today's announcement reinforces a growing recognition that children need technology designed specifically for childhood, helping them stay connected with friends and family, develop independence and learn digital skills, without exposing them to social media feeds and algorithm-driven content.
Here’s what he has to say:
"Children deserve their own category of technology.
While we welcome today's announcement, its significance is not whether the age limit should be 16 instead of 13. It's that policymakers are finally recognising something many parents have known for years: children need technology designed specifically for childhood.
For too long, parents have been presented with a false choice: give a child a fully featured adult smartphone, or give them no meaningful technology at all.
Most parents aren't looking to sign their child up to social media. They're looking for a safe way to stay in touch as their child starts walking to school, catching the bus, spending time with friends and gaining independence.
Rather than focusing solely on what age children should gain access to adult online platforms, we should be creating better alternatives designed around children's needs from the outset.
Whether a child is 13 or 16, many mainstream digital platforms are built to maximise engagement and screen time rather than support healthy child development. Raising the age limit may reduce access, but it only begins to address a much bigger question: what kind of technology do we want children to grow up with?
Children's technology should help them communicate, explore independence and stay connected with friends and family, without exposing them to algorithm-driven content, social media feeds or the pressures of adult-oriented online platforms.
The real opportunity here is not simply to keep children away from technology designed for adults. It's to create technology designed for children.
That's the category we believe should exist, and the future we believe parents are looking for."
© Sayph
About Sayph:
Sayph is a UK-based technology company developing safer mobile devices for children. Founded by parents concerned about the impact of smartphones and social media on childhood, Sayph offers a purpose-built first phone that enables essential communication while removing access to social media and addictive apps.
Using secure, encrypted technology and AI-powered parental summaries, Sayph helps families stay connected without increasing screen time or digital risk. The company advocates for a more balanced approach to childhood and technology; one that protects well-being, reduces parental admin and delays exposure to the wider online world.