"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"

C.S. Lewis 

What is Smartphone Free Childhood?

Smartphone Free Childhood is a national parent-led movement sparked by concerns about smartphone and social media use amongst children.

It aims to give families a genuine choice about the age at which they allow their child to have a smartphone. Through collective action - in the form of signing a voluntary pledge - parents can be reassured that their child will no longer be ‘the odd one out’ if they don’t have a smartphone.

Why does Milldown Academy support the movement?

In Spring 2024, the school became aware of the growing concerns with smartphones and of the national movement 'Smartphone Free Childhood'.  Mr Law invited parents with children at Milldown to begin discussing smartphone use at school and how to help support out children and families with this growing issue.

A survey was conducted shortly afterwards which indicated an overwhelming level of support amongst the school community to change the status quo around smartphone use.

84% of parents/carers who responded to the survey expressed interest in a voluntary pact to delay smartphones until at least age 14.

As well as co-ordinating efforts in this school,  the school is now working with other schools across Blandford to help change the norm around child smartphone use across the whole town.

Are smartphones really so bad?

The body of evidence linking smartphone (and social media) use amongst children with poorer mental health grows by the day. This short video summarises many of the concerns:

How can parents contact and keep track of children when they’re out on their own if they don’t have a smartphone?

There are various ways to do this other than using smartphones. The Delay Smartphones website talks about some of the alternatives including smartwatches and simple phones.

What will happen once children reach secondary school /will most of their friends have smartphones?

This is why signing the pledge is so important!

Through the many conversations that have happened at Milldown it is very clear that many parents would prefer to delay the age at which their child gets a smartphone.  By signing the pledge, parents are helping each other to know that their child will not be the only one without a smartphone.

You can click here to sign the pledge - it only takes a minute!

In response to concerns raised by parents, Milldown is already collaborating with other schools (primary and secondary) to ensure parents across the area - not just at Milldown - know they are not alone if they choose to commit to waiting until their children are a bit older before they get a smartphone. 

My child already has a smartphone / is getting one soon.

Every family will do what they believe is the right thing for their child. The pledge is intended to help those that would prefer to wait to realise they are not alone in their decision - there is no expectation that every parent will feel this way. It is about giving parents a choice about whether to get their child a smartphone or whether to wait, rather than trying to remove that choice from those that do want to get their child a smartphone at an earlier age. 

For parents of children that use the internet on any device, the Internet Matters website is a good source of tips and advice about keeping as safe as is possible.

Milldown has also gone a step further and is helping children regain their childhood. We are part of a project called Let Grow which, in collaboration with parents, will help children build confidence and resilience and will provide suggestions for what children can do to substitute their phone use.  Please check out the Let Grow page on our website.

Our Parent Pact

A group of parents from Years 4, 5, and 6 have come together to form suggestions for ways to reduce mobile phone usage amongst their children.

These suggestions are to help support you and your children in managing mobile phone use, knowing other parents in the school are doing the same.

Their suggestions are:

• Phones to and from school only to be used for essential contact- the focus should be on the road and surroundings and not the screen.
• Think before you message- if you wouldn't say it to someone's face don't say it in a message.
• It is ok to leave a group or chat in which you do not feel happy.
• Children must talk to their parents/carers or teachers for concerns.
• The cut-off time for phone use is 8 pm.  Phones are to be given to an adult to be put away, no phones in the bedroom overnight. 
• Social media/communication apps are limited to WhatsApp only—no other apps of this nature.
• Age-appropriate gaming.
• No participation in whole class group chats or all boys/all girls chats.
• All pictures-make sure you are fully clothed.
• No phones in the bedroom, phones to be used in family communal areas. 
• No phones during meals.

We hope the above suggestions help parents manage their child's phone use.  If you are concerned about your child's well-being and mental health, please speak to your child's teacher.