Netflix drama creator Jack Thorne joins experts and MPs calling for urgent government action to delay children’s smartphone use until at least age 14, highlighting the damaging impact of early online exposure and pushing for policies similar to tobacco restrictions to protect young users.
The creator of the Netflix drama Adolescence, Jack Thorne, has called for urgent government action to limit children’s unrestricted access to smartphones and social media, stressing the importance of intervening before children reach the age of 11—the typical age when many are given their first devices. The series, which dramatizes the consequences of early exposure to explicit, harmful, and misogynistic online content, opened a wider public conversation on what primary school-aged children and young teens are encountering online, often without their parents being fully aware.
Speaking during an online safety meeting at Gospel Oak primary school, Thorne highlighted the need for the UK government to do more on this front, pointing to other countries like Australia which are already implementing stricter social media restrictions for under-16s. “If we don’t solve this problem then kids will end up in deeper trouble and then what kind of generation will be coming out to be employed?” he remarked, underscoring the wider societal implications of early smartphone use.
Supporting this view, Nova Eden, a children’s mental health expert and campaigner for phone-free childhoods, revealed alarming statistics about children’s digital exposure. According to Eden, the average teenager spends nearly eight hours a day on their smartphone—comparable to a part-time job—and by age 14, more than 90 per cent have been exposed to pornography. She emphasised the challenges parents face in controlling the content their children receive, especially given the increasing graphic and addictive nature of online material, which can distort young boys’ perceptions of loving relationships. Eden lamented the government’s slow response to protect children from these harms and advocated for a collective effort toward meaningful change.
One practical initiative Eden is advancing involves the “Parent Pact,” a voluntary agreement among parents not to provide smartphones to children before age 14 and to restrict social media access until 16. This approach aims to alleviate peer pressure that often compels parents to acquiesce to early phone ownership. Additionally, a consortium letter is being prepared to encourage Camden secondary schools to implement smartphone-free policies, starting with incoming Year 7 students in 2025. This would make Camden the fourth north London borough to adopt such measures to curb smartphone use among schoolchildren.
Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq, who attended the meeting, echoed the call for stronger protections, stressing the crucial role of government in supporting parents and educators. She highlighted the dual nature of technology, which can offer benefits but also cause serious harm if misused. Siddiq also shared a personal experience as a recent victim of an AI deep fake, reinforcing her belief that laws must keep pace with technological innovation. She expressed her commitment to working with local families and schools to advocate for tighter online safety regulations.
The campaign to delay children’s access to smartphones has gained significant momentum, garnering over 100,000 signatures and celebrity endorsements from figures such as Paloma Faith and Benedict Cumberbatch. Research by Ofcom shows that 89 per cent of 12-year-olds in the UK already own a smartphone, underscoring the scale of the challenge these advocates seek to address. Jack Thorne has even suggested treating smartphone use akin to smoking, proposing legislative bans on under-16s akin to existing tobacco laws.
As debates continue, the tension remains between managing technological engagement and protecting children’s mental health and development. The emerging consensus among experts and campaigners suggests that earlier and more decisive intervention is critical if future generations are to avoid the pitfalls that unchecked early smartphone use can bring.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/parents-are-urged-not-to-give-their-kids-a-smartphone-until-they-are-14 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/23/adolescence-writer-jack-thorne-backs-smartphone-free-childhood-group – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, supports the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, which advocates delaying children’s access to smartphones until at least 14. The initiative has gained significant traction, with over 100,000 signatures and backing from celebrities like Paloma Faith and Benedict Cumberbatch. Research by Ofcom indicates that 89% of 12-year-olds in the UK own a smartphone, highlighting the need for such campaigns to address the impact of early smartphone use on children’s development.
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, advocates for treating smartphones like cigarettes and banning their use for under-16s in the UK. He calls for government intervention to restrict teenagers’ access to social media, citing concerns over the influence of online spaces on teenagers. Thorne suggests that the UK should follow countries like Australia in implementing such measures to protect young people from harmful online content.
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, advocates for treating smartphones like cigarettes and banning their use for under-16s in the UK. He calls for government intervention to restrict teenagers’ access to social media, citing concerns over the influence of online spaces on teenagers. Thorne suggests that the UK should follow countries like Australia in implementing such measures to protect young people from harmful online content.
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, advocates for treating smartphones like cigarettes and banning their use for under-16s in the UK. He calls for government intervention to restrict teenagers’ access to social media, citing concerns over the influence of online spaces on teenagers. Thorne suggests that the UK should follow countries like Australia in implementing such measures to protect young people from harmful online content.
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, advocates for treating smartphones like cigarettes and banning their use for under-16s in the UK. He calls for government intervention to restrict teenagers’ access to social media, citing concerns over the influence of online spaces on teenagers. Thorne suggests that the UK should follow countries like Australia in implementing such measures to protect young people from harmful online content.
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne – Jack Thorne, co-writer of the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’, advocates for treating smartphones like cigarettes and banning their use for under-16s in the UK. He calls for government intervention to restrict teenagers’ access to social media, citing concerns over the influence of online spaces on teenagers. Thorne suggests that the UK should follow countries like Australia in implementing such measures to protect young people from harmful online content.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 23 June 2025. However, similar discussions have been reported earlier in 2025, notably in March, regarding Jack Thorne’s advocacy for smartphone restrictions for under-16s. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/18/ban-smartphones-for-uk-under-16s-urges-adolescence-writer-jack-thorne?utm_source=openai)) The presence of a press release indicates a high freshness score, as such releases are typically current.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Jack Thorne and Nova Eden appear to be original, with no exact matches found in earlier publications. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports, suggesting potential reuse or paraphrasing. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/23/adolescence-writer-jack-thorne-backs-smartphone-free-childhood-group?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The Camden New Journal is a local newspaper with a longstanding history, lending credibility to the narrative. However, its reach and influence are more limited compared to national outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding Jack Thorne’s advocacy for smartphone restrictions align with his previous statements and the ongoing public discourse on this topic. The involvement of Nova Eden and MP Tulip Siddiq adds further credibility. The tone and language used are consistent with the subject matter and region.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and aligns with prior reports on Jack Thorne’s advocacy for smartphone restrictions for under-16s. While some quotes may have been paraphrased or reused, the overall content is plausible and consistent with known information. The source is reliable, though with a more limited reach.
