"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 do we support the movement?

In December 2025 the DSAT schools in Blandford decided to take action to address the growing concerns with smartphones.  Heaadteachers from all the schools invited parents to begin discussing smartphone use at school and how to help support children and families with this growing issue.

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

97% of parents/carers who responded to the survey felt that smartphones are a safeguarding risk to children.

91% of parents/carers who responded to the survey were in support of a united response from the DSAT Blandford schools.

As a result of this survey and the growing body of evidence highlighting the harms of smartphones to child development we have taken the decision to ban smartphones on the school site from the 14th of April 2026.  From this date children in Years 5 & 6 will only be allowed to bring a brick phone (no access to the internet) into school.  Please see our Smartphone Policy for further details. 

Are smartphones really so bad?

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

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?

Through the many conversations and surveys that have been conducted by the Blandford schools it is very clear that parents would prefer to delay the age at which their child gets a smartphone. 

In response to concerns raised by parents, The DSAT schools in Blandford have collaborated (primary and secondary) to ensure parents across the area 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. As a group of schools our decision, supported by our parent population, to ban smartphones on our school site has been taken to support parents and children.   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.

Please see our Mobile Phone Policy below along with a copy of the Mobile Phone Contract that needs to be signed by parent and child before a child in Years 5 & 6 can bring a brick phone to school.