Parents in Dublin support delaying children's smartphone access

Parents in Ireland are being encouraged to delay giving smartphones to their children. This follows concerns from Tánaiste Simon Harris, who called the online environment "toxic." He believes that parents should wait before allowing access to social media. Harris has suggested that the Netflix show "Adolescence," which deals with negative influences from social media, should be shown in secondary schools. Many parents are now evaluating whether to provide their kids with smartphones as they get ready to start secondary school. A survey by Eir revealed that 42% of parents gave their children smartphones earlier than they planned. In response, some parents in south Dublin have created a WhatsApp group titled "Delay smartphones or social media." This group aims to support parents of first-year students in delaying phone use. Gillian Hurley, a mother in the group, discussed the matter with other parents and found many shared her concerns about smartphones. She noted that within days of starting the group, more than 100 parents joined. Many parents feel that waiting could avoid potential harm from smartphone use. Some parents, like Ross Staunton, have previously given devices to their children but do not want to repeat that with their younger kids. Staunton believes an initiative at school helps them have easier conversations about not getting a phone. Recent studies show that 32% of children aged 8 to 12 reported feeling upset over online experiences. Cyberbullying is a significant issue, as reported by students like Evelina, who shared her experience of being bullied through apps. Psychologist Caroene Santos Murray noted an increase in cases of children distressed from cyberbullying and online abuse. She emphasized the importance of parents explaining their reasons for limiting smartphone access, as children can view it as unfair without context. In schools, many fifth and sixth graders already have phones for communication and social media. Some children find their phones helpful, while others, like Anthony, have not received one due to parental concerns about online dangers.