Ban Smartphones and Social Media?
For the defence - Burberry
Last week I shared a Guardian article featuring insights from Dr Vivek Murthy: “Social media is like driving with no speed limits.” I agree.
That rumble again…
As the week went on, the old rumble returned — calls for a blanket ban on smartphones and social media for under-16s.
This isn’t new. I’ve got clippings going back to when we still called them mobiles.
As a parent and digital tinkerer, I’ve always worried about what’s out there and how easily it reaches a phone screen. But I’ve also watched my daughters use tech to improve their lives. Appointments booked, gifts sent, music streaming, learning, collaborating — all seamlessly part of daily life.
The age-old battle - Good vs Evil
During lockdown, my younger daughter joined online groups to rehearse for Borough of Culture events. That led her to an Arts school and deeper musical development. Social media brought collaboration, advice and professional networks. Yes, there have been negatives — but for her, and millions of others, the positives outweigh them.
Breathe and Stop.
The idea that we can simply remove digital culture from a digital generation? Zero chance. It’s not an add-on to their lives — it’s woven in. Asking them to give it up is like asking them to stop breathing. Dramatic, yes. But true.
When ‘happy slapping’ was still on trend.
We believed phones would evolve to become a staple to younger and younger people, so we tested the potential to deliver positive content and responsible campaigns.
Banning just won’t work
Policing a generation for using the tools they’ve grown up with is legally and practically impossible. Imagine stop and search extended to “you look 15 and you’re holding a smartphone”. It’s unworkable - kids will oppose enforcement and outmanouvre parents.
The Tech is not going away
Policing a generation for using the tools they’ve grown up with is legally and practically impossible. Imagine stop and search extended to “you look 15 and three quarters and you’re holding a smartphone”. It’s unworkable.
Mobile tech isn’t going anywhere. None of us predicted the rise of global tech giants or billionaire founders shaping politics. But here we are. Wishing for a pre-mobile world won’t bring it back.
But… from inside tech looking out
What’s often overlooked is the ecosystem created around these technologies. Entrepreneurs built businesses. Mobile networks evolved beyond calls and texts. Entire industries grew. Many are now major UK employers — and aspirational brands for young people.
It depends on the lane you choose.
Choosing your lane
Our lane was simple: use devices to expand access to opportunity. That became Slenky.
During early testing we received a letter — access to Burberry had been made easier, and a life improved. That validated the mission.
From the bottom up, we focused on young people without contacts or connections, helping them access opportunities quickly and safely. Real stories inspire others to take their shot.
Bottom up - of course
From the bottom up, we focused on young people without contacts or connections, helping them access opportunities quickly and safely. Real stories inspire others to take their shot. It'd be a huge task (maybe even worthy of a book) to tell the stories of all the young people who've used our tech to shape their futures. (But if you’ve a second, here’s a few - The Shot).
Smartphones can connect a young woman on a remote Scottish island to career opportunities in Motor Racing. That’s the point.
Ok, now down to the Top
From the top down, we supported sectors struggling to attract young, diverse talent — construction, tech, emerging industries facing skills shortages. We helped councils reach young residents during a time when youth services were shrinking. We aimed to strengthen regional economies by connecting young people to training and jobs.
Smartphones can connect a young woman on a Scottish island to Extreme E Motor Racing. That’s the point.
Yes, there are serious harms online. Dr Murthy is right — governments have failed to protect young people. But sweeping bans maybe target the wrong problem.
Thousands of businesses now use social tech to improve mental health, education, culture, civic engagement and environmental action. Why close those lanes because someone is 15 and three quarters?
We should embrace the positive potential of tech — but demand accountability. Trust must be earned and enforced.
There is no excuse for bad actors. After years of warnings and mounting evidence, governments must act faster and create rules that protect young people. If companies won’t play by those rules, they shouldn’t stay on the pitch.
But let’s be clear: tech is not going away.
The real question is whether we now work to shape it properly for generations to come — or simply try to wish it away.
“What has happened is a fundamental failure of governments to protect young people from the harmful effects of a new technology and it’s not new any more.”
Target the broom
Today there are thousands of brilliant businesses building on social tech to improve physical and mental health, education, culture, civic engagement and, crucially, young people’s involvement in saving our planet.
So what’s the gain in closing those lanes simply because someone is 15 and three quarters? A blanket ban sweeps far too widely.
Yes, we’d like a hug
In my (admittedly biased) view, we should embrace the positive innovations that phones and social media can bring to children and young people. But we must support them because they have clear positive intent and impact. Every business operating in this space has to earn and protect that trust.
A cold shrug
There’s no excuse for the worst behaviour online. After years of debate and some truly awful episodes, it’s unacceptable that bad actors can still misuse powerful, life-changing technology.
We need faster, stronger regulation. Governments must create rules that make it impossible — or prohibitively costly — for harmful operators to share the same pitch as responsible ones.
We now have solid research showing the real damage that can be done. We can’t afford another decade of hand-wringing. Governments must ensure companies play by rules that protect young people and improve their lives.
If they won’t, they shouldn’t stay on the pitch.
