Can we turn back time? Mental health problems are shooting up even while literacy rates fall. Some pin the blame on the little box in your hand. But can we do without them?
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End 'phone-based childhood' now say experts
Can we turn back time? Mental health problems are shooting up even while literacy rates fall. Some pin the blame on the little box in your hand. But can we do without them?
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What's happening?
In the last decadeTen years., something worrying has happened. Young people's reading abilities have come down. Meanwhile, their mental healthThe part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings. is getting worse too. More and more teen say they are lonely, worried or sad.
Why is this? ExpertsSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. are pointing the finger at phones.
Experts say that young people who spend most of their time on a phone never learn how to take risks in the real world.
Meanwhile, many believe phones reduce our attention span, making it harder for us to focus on things like reading.
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That is why some think the only way of saving our youth is to do away with phones. Polling shows nearly two-thirds of Britons would ban sales of smartphonesA phone that works in the same way as a computer, with apps, access to the internet and more. to under-16s.
Can we turn back time?
Yes! Adults chose to give children phones. So adults can choose to take them away again. It will be hard, but it will be worth it. Children will be much happier without phones.
No! Young people need phones to stay in contact with their friends and family and to do their homework. We need to find a way to make sure that children can have phones AND be happy.
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Keywords
Decade - Ten years.
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Smartphones - A phone that works in the same way as a computer, with apps, access to the internet and more.
End ‘phone-based childhood’ now say experts
Epidemic: Nearly half of all children aged five to 10 in the UK have their own mobile phone. Glossary
Decade - Ten years.
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Smartphones - A phone that works in the same way as a computer, with apps, access to the internet and more.