Are phones bad for kids?

Do smartphones affect children's development, lead to bullying and take them into dark places? We consider the case for keeping kids screen-free for as long as possible

- LYDIA VELJANOVSKI

Ot's one of the hottest topics at the school gate right now, as mums and dads debate when or even if - they should allow their child to have their own mobile phone.

A recent survey for the charity Parentkind found that 58% of parents of school-aged children-rising to 77% among those with children at primary school - believe smartphones should be banned for under-16s.

Nearly nine out of 10 parents expressed concern their kids could face online bullying and abuse through using a smartphone, while 87% were worried they might access harmful content online.

More than four out of five parents (83%) said they believe smartphone devices are harmful to young people.

The topic has been front and centre of the news agenda too, thanks to Esther Ghey, mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.

Esther's 16-year-old daughter was killed in February last year by Eddie Ratcliffe and Scarlett Jenkinson, then both 15, who plotted the murder and lured Brianna to her death via messages on social media.

In the wake of her daughter's murder, Esther has been campaigning for stricter rules around phone use in young people.

She wants smartphones to only be available for under-16s without social media apps.

The government is also moving to prohibit phones in schools across England as part of its plan to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms.

Here, we speak to Emily Rittner-McKinley, 49, from Wiltshire, who says withholding a smartphone is in the best interests of her daughter Ottilie, who is almost 13.

My daughter is the only child in her class of 40 without a smartphone and I know she feels very left out. She's constantly saying, "Please can I have a phone?" I think she first asked about 18 months ago and then asked again at Christmas and for her birthday.