New P.H.O.N.E Contract Aims to Ease Smartphone Conflicts in Families

Smartphone conflicts between parents and children may soon see relief with the introduction of a new resource from EE, a leading telecommunications company in the UK. The free downloadable P.H.O.N.E Contract is designed to help families establish clear guidelines regarding smartphone usage, particularly as children head back to school.

Research conducted by EE reveals that 93 percent of parents experience arguments with their children over smartphone use. As the new academic year approaches, approximately 3.8 million families are expected to engage in discussions about phone-related rules, with 43 percent of parents planning to purchase a smartphone for their child in time for the school year.

The primary issues leading to disputes include concerns over online safety, screen time, and general smartphone etiquette. For many families, these conflicts have intensified as students return to school after the summer break.

According to the research, online safety is a significant concern. Over half of teens and tweens cited scams as their top fear when using social media, with 51 percent expressing this concern. Other fears include being bullied at 50 percent and encountering adult content at 48 percent. Conversely, parents expressed heightened anxiety regarding their children being exposed to inappropriate material, with 68 percent identifying this as their primary worry.

Screen time has emerged as another contentious topic; more than 53 percent of families argue about it at least once a month. Other frequent sources of conflict include late-night phone use, affecting 50 percent of families, and distractions from schoolwork, impacting 47 percent.

The P.H.O.N.E. Contract encourages children to communicate with their parents about any inappropriate content they may encounter online, including instances of bullying or exposure to illegal material. It also includes stipulations around daily smartphone use, enabling families to set specific limits on screen time and establish designated times for device shutdown.

TV presenter and EE Parent Ambassador, Konnie Huq, spoke about the initiative, stating, “All parents know how daunting it can feel to hand over more responsibility to your child. With a smartphone, you’re excited to give over increased independence, but the risks can be a worry.”

Huq emphasized that the P.H.O.N.E. Contract facilitates essential conversations between parents and children, fostering a framework that promotes confidence in managing digital lives.

In addition to the contract, EE is enhancing online safety for young users by introducing Safer SIMs for those under 18 years old. The company also offers in-store online safety appointments across more than 400 locations throughout the UK, aiming to equip families with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape safely.

As families prepare for the new school year, the P.H.O.N.E. Contract offers a proactive approach to mitigate smartphone-related conflicts, fostering healthier communication around technology use.