How will SA tackle kids on smartphones, a screen-free childhood?
The idea of a “screen-free childhood” has become a major talking point in child safety discussions, driven by Jonathan Haidt‘s proposals in The Anxious Generation. Haidt suggests delaying children’s access to smartphones until high school and restricting social media use until at least age 16, pointing to research that highlights the vulnerability of adolescent brains to digital addiction. His proposals arrive amidst growing concerns about mental health issues linked to early smartphone and social media use, such as anxiety, depression, and self-harm. While these ideas are important, a screen-free childhood presents significant challenges in practical implementation—especially in regions like Africa, where technology is often essential for education. To truly protect and prepare children, society must go beyond buzzwords and adopt a dual approach that balances abstinence with gradual introduction to technology in a constructive manner.
The Limitations of Buzzword-Driven Solutions
Jonathan Haidt’s recommendations resonate with increasing calls to protect young people from excessive smartphone use. However, Dean McCoubrey, founder of MySociaLife—South Africa’s foremost digital citizenship and online safety programme—cautions that advocating for a screen-free childhood may oversimplify the issue. “Haidt’s suggestions are timely and significant, but screens are already woven into the fabric of our daily lives, especially in places like Africa where educational resources are often limited,” says McCoubrey. “The key is not just about keeping kids away from screens but finding ways to introduce technology that prioritise learning, social good, and problem-solving over mindless content consumption and risky platforms.”
McCoubrey’s company, MySociaLife, has received global recognition for its engaging and relatable social media and online safety education across multiple countries, earning 11 award recognitions. These include prestigious wins such as being named one of the Top 5 StartUps in South Africa. The programme’s international acclaim demonstrates the impact and necessity of empowering children to use technology safely and responsibly. In contexts like South Africa, where the educational landscape is marked by significant disparities, EdTech and artificial intelligence (AI) can be crucial tools to bridge these gaps, rather than banning screens entirely. While Haidt’s approach focuses on delaying smartphone use to protect young people, doing so without a plan for introducing beneficial digital tools risks limiting access to resources that can enhance learning.
Balancing Protection and Preparation
The issue is not simply about whether children should use screens; it is about what kind of content they are exposed to and how they are taught to use technology. Safety and privacy must be prioritised, but children also need skills to navigate the digital world as they grow. “It’s not just about keeping devices away from children,” McCoubrey explains. “We need to teach them how to use technology in a way that is safe, smart, and aligned with their educational needs. In Africa, where digital access can help overcome the lack of traditional resources, this is particularly important.”
Digital integration in South African schools has become commonplace, with many children receiving their first smartphones by age 10 or 11 due to safety concerns or peer pressure. Given this reality, advocating for a fully screen-free childhood may be aspirational rather than practical. Instead, a phased approach to digital integration is more realistic—one that starts with educational platforms that help children use technology as a learning tool, delaying exposure to social media and entertainment-focused content until later.
The Role of Parents: Bridging the Generational Digital Divide
Haidt’s recommendations also call for greater parental involvement in managing children’s screen time. However, the generational divide in digital skills often complicates this responsibility. “Adults themselves are not always setting the best example when it comes to healthy screen habits,” says McCoubrey. “We need to bridge this gap with training that is relatable to both parents and educators, ensuring they understand the complexities of raising children in the digital age.”
To make Haidt’s vision a reality, a cultural shift is needed, where parents, educators, and tech companies collaborate on a unified approach to digital safety and literacy. Schools can lead the way by implementing digital citizenship programmes that encourage healthy screen habits while teaching essential skills such as online privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible content creation. This community-based approach can foster a balanced environment that integrates the benefits of digital technology while managing its risks.
Shaping Technology for Good: Guiding Responsible Use from a Young Age
The idea of humane technology is gaining traction as companies seek to promote ethical and meaningful digital engagement. For children, this can be achieved by making technology for social good the foundation of every digital experience. McCoubrey advocates for encouraging tech companies to pre-load child-targeted devices with educational and wellness apps that promote learning and responsible behaviour. “The goal should be to guide children towards technology’s positive uses—life skills, social impact, and even environmental action—rather than just trying to keep them off screens,” he notes. “This kind of proactive approach can be more practical than blanket bans and allows us to leverage technology for educational benefits.”
Teaching children how to use technology responsibly prepares them to avoid risks while also taking advantage of digital tools for positive change. Workforces are increasingly focused on humane technology balancing tech with positive outcomes. Education should follow suit and intensely focus on developing healthier digital habits in young users from an early age, equipping them with skills that will be essential in a technology-driven future.
Legislative and Technological Solutions: A Shared Responsibility
While Haidt’s call for stricter legislation on smartphone and social media use is a step in the right direction, laws alone are not enough. In regions like South Africa, legal frameworks may struggle with enforcement due to other pressing societal issues such as economic development and educational access. Therefore, collaborative efforts from parents, schools, and tech companies are necessary to ensure any regulations are meaningful.
Technology companies can support this cause by integrating more robust safety features into products intended for young users, such as parental controls, content filters, and educational resources. Setting a higher standard for child safety through technology can help create a safer digital environment for children.
Moving Forward
Achieving a screen-free childhood may be an attractive ideal, but it is not entirely feasible in a world where technology is increasingly embedded in everyday life. Instead, the focus should be on how children are prepared to interact with technology thoughtfully and purposefully. This involves a dual strategy that combines setting limitations on harmful content and screen time with educational initiatives that empower young people to use technology for good.
The pace of technological change is accelerating, and society must act swiftly to protect young people while equipping them for future opportunities and challenges. “This conversation shouldn’t just revolve around whether children should have screens,” McCoubrey concludes. “We need to ask ourselves how we can better prepare them for a digital future where screens are inescapable. It’s about fostering a more thoughtful and intentional relationship with technology—helping children explore, excel, and use tech in ways that benefit society.”
For more information on how digital citizenship education is shaping safer online practices, visit www.mysocialife.com.
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