When a smartphone-free childhood is not a choice: Recognising smartphones as essential medical devices

Recently there have been initiatives to ban or reduce the use of smartphones in children and young people. While exemptions are typically made for those for whom smartphones constitute an essential medical device, these groups have not been sufficiently considered in discussions to date. These people include children living with type 1 diabetes and young carers, as well as some with heart conditions and epilepsy. Research urgently needs to examine the consequences of smartphone use and restriction in children in general, but this is particularly urgent when smartphones constitute an essential medical device. While restricting use and negative messaging surrounding campaigns could cause harm to these children, the negative impacts of devices (eg providing opportunities for bullying or distraction) may also be amplified in these populations. Four clinical and research recommendations on this topic are proposed.