In a groundbreaking move, over 250 schools across north London are set to implement a smartphone-free policy aimed at protecting children's mental health and enhancing their educational experience. Spearheaded by the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) charity, this initiative will see 103 primary schools in Barnet prohibit smartphones from September, while 23 secondary schools in the same area work towards removing the devices entirely during school hours. This policy will impact approximately 63,000 state-educated children in Barnet alone.
The SFC and local authorities, including Barnet Public Health and Dan Tomlinson MP, have championed this initiative. Dan Tomlinson highlighted the importance of the policy, stating that smartphones pose "an unnecessary distraction from education and a huge risk to children's mental health and wellbeing." Nova Eden, the charity's regional leader for north London, echoed these concerns, citing evidence of a link between smartphone use and mental health issues in young children.
"There is a lot of evidence to show there is a direct correlation and causative link between the use of smartphones and social media in young children and the rise in cases of depression, anxiety and self-harm." – Nova Eden, the charity's regional leader for north London
By eliminating smartphones during school hours, the SFC hopes to provide children with a seven-hour window each day to "learn, socialise and grow, free from addictive algorithms." The charity also encourages parents to delay purchasing smartphones for their children until they are at least 14 and suggests preventing access to social media until age 16.
"We are not saying no phones, just one without the dangers of the internet in the child's pocket." – Ms Eden
The policy marks a significant shift in educational environments, with Ealing Council's 70 primary schools having already pledged to go smartphone-free last month. In addition to eliminating distractions, the initiative aims to restore aspects of traditional childhood. As Ms. Eden powerfully stated, "This is about the tragedy of modern childhood – children don't need smartphones, children need a childhood."
Community feedback is mixed. Some parents express concerns about safety, with one mother noting the utility of smartphones in tracking her child's movements for safety purposes. Conversely, others support the idea of prioritizing conversations about phone use at home.
"We use smartphones to watch our son travel here, there and everywhere, to know that he's safe." – A mother
"I do think it is important to prioritise reframing from using phones at school and I think it's important to have the conversation at home with them first." – One man
The SFC also directs parents towards alternative phone options, such as "brick" phones that only allow calls and texts, thus minimizing internet-related risks.
