ACT leader David Seymour is pondering introducing a ban on children having their own smartphones.
The National Party is trying to ban kids from social media, but its coalition partners – including ACT – have indicated they won’t support that move. Instead, Seymour is now suggesting a different ban to solve the issue.
In a somewhat surprising turn for the ACT leader, which Seymour noted during a speech on Wednesday evening, he suggested a ban on children having smartphones.
“Parliament could pass a law defining what constitutes a ‘dumb phone’ suitable for a person under 16. Prohibit the purchase, possession, and supply of smartphones for under-16s,” Seymour suggested, during a speech to youth development charity, the Graeme Dingle Foundation.
He stressed this idea was not ACT Party, or Government, policy. “To be clear, I don’t even know if the Government trying to ban smartphones for under-16s is a good idea,” he said.
Keeping under 16s off social media is a good aspiration. The social media ban is challenging though, as to be effective it would require every adult to use photo ID to register with social media.
The alternative of simply banning smartphones for under 16s is worth considering. However social media can also be accessed on tablets and computers, so they are not a substitute for each other.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
4 comments:
David is proposing a very sensible solution. Banning the sale of alcohol to under 16’s doesn’t stop them getting hold of it - and doesn’t really stop parents supplying it - but you don’t often see under 16s walking the streets drunk.
Most parents would be grateful for this option out approach- just like alcohol….and for the reasons that kids need a way to communicate with their parents and each other- a dumb phone option for under 16s is a good option.
Even without the proposal/ban it was the approach we had planned for our own kids. (Only we were intending to keep it in place till they were 18+)
Or you could just wait for the effect of EU action against meta against their most addictive features like infinite scroll. Regulating the social media companies themselves is a more effective way of fixing the problem for adults, and children.
I'm inclined to think that David's idea is good.
I personally have a "dumb" phone, which I use only for phone calls or occasional texts.
If I wish to go online, I go on the computer.
I actually prefer it that way.
More big government from ACT, running roughshod over good kiwi parenting. Does Seymour have kids?
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.