As Australia bans social media for under-16s, Manx parents discuss whether a smartphone is an ideal gift
Manx parents are being asked to think hard before gifting their child a smartphone this Christmas.
It's as countries around the world look to ban social media for under-16s, the latest being Australia.
From today (4 December), anyone on social media under the age of 16 in Australia will have their accounts deactivated, ahead of a nation-wide ban from 10 December.
On the Isle of Man conversations have been taking place in recent years around smartphones, social media and online safety.
In January 2025, the Department of Education, Sport and Culture introduced a policy stating that while students could bring their smart devices to school they must keep them turned off and safely stored away during lessons and whilst traveling through the school.
Delay Smart Phones IOM, a local campaign group with over 600 followers, has held talks with the education minister about extending those restrictions.
Meghan Kennish and John Bolton have been speaking to Manx Radio, giving their reaction to the steps being taken in Australia:
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