Taylor Lorenz, a technology journalist and internet content creator, has challenged prevailing narratives that smartphones harm children's mental health and development. Citing an 82-page report by leading experts on children and smartphone use, Lorenz argues that the belief smartphones are detrimental is a moral panic lacking strong evidence. She contends that legislative efforts aimed at restricting smartphone and social media use under the guise of child safety actually facilitate increased government surveillance and censorship, potentially undermining free speech. Lorenz highlights concerns that big tech companies and Silicon Valley billionaires are aligned with authoritarian government initiatives to harvest biometric data and expand surveillance capabilities. She also suggests that bans on cell phones in schools may serve to suppress students' ability to document and expose controversial educational content. Critics note that Lorenz is a paid spokesperson for a smartphone designed for children as young as six, and some research points to phones being distracting in educational settings. Nonetheless, Lorenz maintains that smartphones can be beneficial learning tools and warns against the erosion of civil liberties through so-called "kids online safety" laws, referencing similar developments in the UK.