Parents have been urged to delay giving their children smartphones until the age of 14, as a survey found that kids generally get their first device at around nine years old.

They are also advised to keep off social media until they reach the age of 16.

The calls came from parent-led group ‘Look Up Hong Kong’, which recently polled 651 parents of primary and secondary school children.

It found that more than half of those between the age of six and 10 already own a smartphone, and 45 percent of kids spend more time on screens than what health organisations around the world recommend.

Dr Vivian Mark, a pediatrician and an adviser for the group, noted that excessive use of smartphones, especially on social media, is linked to worsening physical and mental health among youngsters.

“The ‘Look Up Hong Kong’ survey reports that 45 percent of children spend more than two hours a day on smartphones. This exceeds evidence-based recommendations from Hong Kong, US, and other global health organisations,” she said.

“Our kids are self-reporting the impact that this is having on their relationships, schoolwork, sleep, and mental health… We're seeing a troubling rise in rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm in our children and teens, not just abroad, but also right here in Hong Kong.”

Jeannie Leung is the mother of an eight-year-old girl and one of the group's founding members.

Leung, also a child education worker, said the group hopes to build a community of like-minded parents and families who believe in responsible smartphone use.

“In our home, even when my daughter was a young infant and toddler, we've been screen, device-free, and we've been able to do that because she's been at a [kindergarten] school that is device-free.” she said.

“Of course, now that she's in primary school, we do use tech. We have movie nights. She does get access to an iPad, for example, to do the homework. But that is with very clear boundaries.”

Chief Executive John Lee announced in his Policy Address this year that his administration will review Hong Kong’s guidelines on screen time and social media use, as part of the city's broader mental health strategy focusing on young people.

‘Look Up Hong Kong’ founder Robert Broad welcomed the government's plan, saying he hopes that the city can create a safer online environment for youngsters.