The campaign began in 2024 when parents and long-time friends Daisy Greenwell and Clare Fernyhough created a WhatsApp group to support each other in delaying smartphone use for their children. Having gleaned anecdotal evidence about the damage smartphones can wreak upon childhoods (children refusing to go outside or engage with their families, instead retreating to their bedrooms for more screentime were the worrying tips of the iceberg), their deeper research revealed still more alarming data to substantiate these fears.
It soon transpired that they were not alone: this small initiative quickly resonated with thousands, highlighting a widespread concern about the impact of smartphones on developing young minds. The movement's mission is clear: to unite parents in collectively postponing the introduction of smartphones, thereby reducing peer pressure and promoting healthier developmental environments.
Research indicates a correlation between early smartphone use and mental health challenges among adolescents. Studies have shown that the younger children receive their first smartphone, the more likely they are to experience issues such as anxiety and depression. (Another alarming statistic is that nine is the average age a child receives a smartphone in the UK.) Additionally, unrestricted internet access exposes children to inappropriate content, from explicit material to extreme ideologies. In turn, the addictive nature of social media platforms further exacerbates these concerns, often leading to excessive screen time at the expense of physical activity and in-person socialisation.
The movement has garnered high profile support from prominent figures, notably social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. His book, The Anxious Generation, delves into how the shift from free play to digital engagement has disrupted child development. Haidt emphasises that while society has become overly protective in physical spaces, it has simultaneously under-protected children in virtual environments, leading to unforeseen consequences.
How to Get Involved
So, how can we make the changes necessary to protect children? Parents and guardians interested in supporting the campaign can take several steps:
Sign the Parent Pact
By pledging to delay giving smartphones to children until at least the end of Year Nine (around age 14), parents can collectively reduce peer pressure and foster a supportive community.
Join Local Groups
Connecting with nearby parents can provide mutual support and share strategies for promoting smartphone-free activities.
Advocate in Schools
Engaging with school administrations to implement phone-free policies during school hours can create environments that prioritise learning and personal interaction.
Spread Awareness
Sharing information about the campaign within personal networks can amplify its reach and impact.
Investigate Phones Without Social Media Access
No phone at all can feel like a tricky decision to make when children start to travel to school by themselves. However, there are some good options such as the Pinwheel phone out there: they are designed to look like smartphones, thejy have GPS trackers and maps functionality but have no access to social media. Oh, and they can only receive calls from people in their safe list.
The Smartphone Free Childhood campaign underscores a collective desire to prioritise the well-being of children in an increasingly digital world and help parents feel less impotent in the face of this huge challenge – particularly in a world where devices are so integrated into our lives (even, egregiously, often deemed necessary for doing homework). By delaying smartphone use, parents aim to preserve childhoods, ensuring that the formative years are rich with real-world experiences and genuine human connections. Join the revolution now.
