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Dad Gives Kids Old School Nokia Phone to Help with Online Addiction
Ben Pickles chose a basic phone to reduce children's exposure to addictive social media amid rising UK concerns about youth mental health and screen time.
- Soon, Ben Pickles, 31, teacher and father-of-two, gave his children Leo, 11, and Layla, nine, a Nokia 'brick' phone handling calls, texts, and the Snake game instead of smartphones.
- Pickles, a teacher from Bradford, West Yorkshire, said fears over online addiction and harmful content and a game incident where his daughter got three messages reinforced his concerns.
- Giving the Nokia, Pickles said, `But I didn't want it to be something addictive- it's simply for ringing me and texting friends.` He admitted Leo has asked about smartphones, while the children still use the family iPad without social apps.
- A national policy debate has opened over banning social media for under-16s, with UK ministers launching a consultation and Pickles backing the ban to 'emulate successes around the globe'.
- Published on talker.news as part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange, the story highlights alternative parental approaches amid global policy moves such as Australia's nationwide ban.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 18%
C 46%
R 36%
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