The Guardian view on children and smartphones: setting some limits is a good idea

Jonathan Haidt, the American social psychologist, is the most prominent advocate of the opposite view on smartphones. His book The Anxious Generation makes the controversial claim that their use has caused a huge rise in teenage mental illness, particularly among girls, and that collective action is needed to reverse this. His critics say that he oversimplifies the problem. But in recent months, policymakers around the world have appeared increasingly receptive. The Australian government is considering raising the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 16, while officials across Europe are implementing tighter restrictions.