Ministers in the UK are considering a controversial move – banning the sale of smartphones to children under the age of 16. This proposal has gained traction after several polls demonstrated significant public support for such a measure, fueled by concerns over the potential harm smartphones and social media can inflict on young minds.

The call for stricter controls on smartphone access for minors has been spearheaded by Esther Ghey, the mother of 16-year-old Brianna, who tragically lost her life last year. Ghey has been a vocal advocate for an age limit on smartphone usage and tighter regulations on access to social media apps. In an interview with the BBC in February, she expressed her desire for a law that would restrict children under 16 to “children’s phones” without social media apps, while those over 16 could have access to “adult phones.”

Recent surveys have revealed a surprisingly strong backing for such a ban. A March survey by Parentkind, involving 2,496 parents of school-age children in England, found that 58% of parents believe the government should prohibit smartphones for under-16s. Moreover, more than four in five parents stated that they felt smartphones were “harmful” to children and young people.

Another poll by More in Common revealed that 64% of respondents thought banning the sale of smartphones to under-16s was a good idea, compared to only 20% who opposed it. Notably, the proposed ban enjoyed support across the political spectrum, with 72% of 2019 Tory voters and 61% of Labour voters expressing their backing.

However, not everyone is on board with this potential move. Some Conservative voices have expressed unease, labeling the idea as “out of touch.” One Tory government source argued that it is not the government’s role to “microparent” and that parents should be made more aware of the parental control tools available to them, such as website and app restrictions, and parental control apps.

The source further stated that the government should only intervene in extreme cases where it can “parent better than actual parents and guardians.”

While the government has remained tight-lipped on the speculation, stating that it does not comment on speculation, it has reiterated its “unwavering commitment to making the UK the safest place to be a child online,” citing the landmark Online Safety Act as evidence.

The proposed smartphone ban is not the only controversial policy on the table. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also bracing for a backlash over his plan to ban the next generation from being able to buy cigarettes. Under this plan, anyone born on or after January 1, 2009 – effectively anyone who is 14 or younger now – will not legally be able to purchase cigarettes in England during their lifetime, as the smoking age will be raised by one year every year, subject to MPs’ approval.