Mia Harding:

I originally got a phone at five years of age because my parents are not together. It was for when I wanted to speak to my mum when I was at my dad's house. I really do wish I did not get social media as young as I did. I was around seven or eight, and it definitely had a big impact on my mental and physical health. They were affected in quite different ways. Kids get phones too young now. You do need a phone for safety, and that is something I 100% agree with. I have a brother who is four. I do not think he should get a phone until he is entering secondary school. I know that in primary schools it is more common for children to have phones.

I recently noticed that there are different phone brands you can buy that only let children have the FaceTime and Messages apps, with no games, social media or anything. There should be more awareness about these types of phones if people do want to get their young child a phone so they do not have access to social media. It has many different impacts, and it is in the Pieces of Us report. There should be more awareness of this.