South Yorkshire parents have mixed opinions over the UK Government’s new “landmark” public consultation on children using smartphones.

The three-month consultation will address topics such as social media age limit and verification, mandatory overnight curfews, unrestricted chatbot use and navigation in a bid to enhance digital wellbeing for children. As of 10.30 am this morning, the window is open for anyone to have their say on the future of the digital world.

Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, says: “The path to a good life is a great childhood, one full of love, learning and play. That applies just as much to the online world as it does to the real one.

“We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having.”

In South Yorkshire, about 2,500 parents have signed a pledge to delay giving their children smartphones until they turn 14 as part of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.

Stefanie Ruth Oakley, a mother-of-two, from Sheffield, says: “I think it can be hard work managing smartphone use and the risks of harm associated with addiction and social media.

“I know kids who had smartphones at 11 who are absolutely fine, and I know others who have free access to everything and are spending six hours plus per day on their phone, or up all night scrolling and can’t get out of bed the next day. For me it was easier to just not give them one. I don’t agree with following the herd and I don’t think any child “needs” a phone.”

Justin, a father of a 13-year-old in Oughtibridge, pointed out the root of the issue might be peer pressure.

He says: “I can remember when the first child in my lad’s primary school class got a smartphone, I think she was about seven or eight, and many of the other parents were not happy about it because they knew what was coming from their own kids.

“We waited till the June before our child went to secondary school to give him a smartphone, even then I was unhappy about it, I do not have a smartphone so I am not a hypocrite in that regard. I was careful not to give it to him for his birthday or Christmas, I bought it for him so technically it’s mine and I have the right to stop him using it.”

On the flipside, some parents believe technology literacy is integral to a child’s development, and allowing smartphone use is one way to introduce it.

Jeff Redhouse, a father from Sheffield, says: “I truly believe children should be allowed smart devices, they are an evolution of humanity, an integral part of our lives in this age. They are used to communicate and socialise, to learn and create, to belong.”

However, he believes that controls and limits should be taken into account to safeguard their online engagement, around issues, including fatal crime or sexual assaults, that could have a detrimental impact of their mental wellbeing.

“We cannot allow complete freedom on devices for young minds,” Mr Redhouse says. “Limitations must exist. But we must also allow engagement in the evolution whilst ensuring the other threads in the tapestry of life do not become insignificant and all that is left is a spool of wool rather than an impressive woven picture of humanity.”

What are some methods Yorkshire parents have implemented to limit their children’s screen time?

Many parents explained they encourage their kids to go outside and do sports activities. Others give them books, DVDs, old video games and board games to play with.

Beyond organised entertainment, some parents are turning to old-school discipline to curb screen time. A Sheffield parent, who commented on Reddit, found success in the kitchen: “Had mine cleaning out the dirty grout on the kitchen floor yesterday,” they say. “Both absolutely loved it. First thing they both said this morning: ‘Can we do the kitchen floor again?'”.

Justin from Oughtibridge suggested a creative ‘point system’ in which his son has to work for screen time.

He says: “One of the few things we did right as parents was to make it clear to our child he was not going to be going on his phone or our laptops all the time. He gets one hour a week of free time, but after that he has to do something positive to be allowed to spend time on it, like reading, homework, doing something with us, or swim training with his club, particularly if he works hard. And it’s the swimming that “earns” him by far the most time on that accursed thing.

“Last rule, which we have never broken, he is not allowed to take his phone upstairs. If he wants to go on his phone, or one of the laptops, he has to do it downstairs.”

Taj, a dad-of-two, went against the norm as he bought his kids a laptop quite early and encouraged them to learn what can be done on a computer other than social media, such as coding, writing, design, educational games and researching topics.

“Online literacy is important,” he says. “I teach them about the real harms that have come to young people as a result of social media, smartphone addiction, online bullying and watch documentaries on the topic together.”

Such a diversity of voices and opinions is essential to ensure the new rules become effective in practice. Liz Kendall said: “This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.

“Together, we will create a digital world that gives young people the childhood they deserve and prepares them for the future.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson echoed this call, encouraging parents to take part in this “vital next step” to “give children the very best childhood in a digital age” and promised to publish public guidance and practical tools for parents to help their kids build a healthier relationship with technology.

With the new legislative powers allowing the government to act within months instead of years, the findings from the consultation will contribute immediately to a nationwide conversation on the public concerns about children and technology.