Head of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, has stated that she is surprised when primary school-aged children have smartphones, calling for greater limits to prevent exposure to harmful content.
During an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live discussing online pornography and adult content access for young children, Spielman proposed that the best way to manage internet access was through the introduction of limits.
The comments have sparked debate about the appropriate age for smartphones and the management of internet access for the young.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Amanda Spielman suggested that children of primary school age shouldn't have unlimited access to smartphones or the internet.
Spielman argued that it was challenging to manage internet access and control the content to which children are exposed, and stated that she was surprised to see primary school-aged children with smartphones.
This call for greater restrictions has been seen by some as a step toward protecting children from exposure to harmful content.
However, others question the implications of such limits, suggesting they would negatively impact the development of digital literacy and useful life skills such as responsible internet use.
On top of that, schools and educators have already taken on a role in mitigating the impact of public figures such as the controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who has millions of followers despite being banned from a range of platforms for posting misogynistic comments.
Tate has been detained as part of an investigation into rape and human trafficking allegations, which he denies.
Battles over appropriate levels of access to the internet, content management and monitoring, digital literacy, and the appropriate age for smartphones and other internet-enabled devices will require a range of stakeholders to come together and find common ground.