Frequently asked questions and concerns
There is not enough evidence that smartphones are harmful.
When children first started getting smartphones a decade ago, there was no research about their impact. Now there is, and it’s overwhelming. Parents, teachers, doctors, psychologists and the police are seeing the evidence every day. Harmful content, addiction, academic distraction, grooming, cyberbullying and mental illness – not to mention the opportunity cost. You might ask for the evidence that proves they are harmful. We would ask: ‘Where is the evidence that they are safe?’
Isn’t it parents’ responsibility to manage their children’s use of smartphones?
Yes, but we need help! Parents feel overwhelmed by fast-evolving technologies and the online world. Many are still not aware of the risks posed by smartphones, or do not have the time or knowledge to navigate them safely. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect parents alone to change societal norms without the support of their communities. It is everyone’s responsibility.
Shouldn’t the tech companies be accountable for their products?
Absolutely! We are desperate for the government to hold tech companies to account. But Big Tech is run by some of the richest, most powerful people in the world. These people are interested in maximising their profits; not keeping our children safe from harm. While we wait for the government to introduce better policies and regulations, we need to act right now at community level.
Schools already have smartphone-free policies.
Only a few schools have genuine smartphone-free policies, such as complete bans or phones locked away during school day. Teens receive 237 notifications on a typical day, a quarter of them during school hours (Common Sense Media, 2023). We cannot put the responsibility to resist the constant temptation onto children who are up against highly addictive smartphone design. One child bringing an unprotected device to school has the potential to expose many other children to harmful content. This is a safeguarding issue that should not be ignored.
Children need smartphones for the journey to and from school.
Feature phones (phones with no internet connection that can call and text only) enable children to contact parents in case of delays, problems or changes of plan. Smartphones put children at increased risk of mugging and road accidents. 500 children get mugged for their smartphones every day in the UK (Office for National Statistics, 2019). Nearly 20% of secondary school pupils who use their phones while walking have either been hit or involved in a near miss with a vehicle (Churchill / Opinium, 2024).
Parents want/need to track their children.
We understand that some families want to track their children. AirTags can do this – and because they are cheaper, they are less prone to theft. However, we urge parents to consider whether tracking is necessary. The subliminal message tracking gives to children is ‘we need to track you because you are in constant danger’. This may be anxiety-inducing rather than a comfort in the long-run.
Some children use their smartphone for their health needs.
Where there is an established medical need to use a smartphone during the school day, we of course support it being permitted.