ACROSS the length and breadth of this island, children have unwrapped their new smartphones, whooping with delight.

The unboxing of these ‘must have’ items brings unparalleled joy and excitement. They are not just gadgets but a window to the world, providing endless possibilities.

Parents wrestle with the tension of giving their children what they want and doing what’s best for them.

What age is the right age for this technology? When are children mature enough? How much should we worry about children’s access to social media?

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If you want your child to thrive, should you delay their access to these devices?

Statistics reveal widespread and growing use of social media amongst children.

According to OFCOM, a quarter of three- and four-year-olds in the UK now own a smartphone, while half of children under 13 are on social media.

The figures show high and rising rates of online activity by children of infant-school age, with 38% of five- to seven-year-olds using social media, compared with 30% a year ago, and 76% of them using a tablet. Is it desirable or indeed possible to reverse this trend?

It is worth remembering that smartphones are just tools. It is the social media that they enable almost unfettered access to that is the cause of increasing........

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