Why More Parents are Choosing a Smartphone-Fee Childhood

Smartphones have become a big part of children’s lives, offering many benefits like easy communication and access to information. But some parents and experts are becoming aware of the mounting evidence that giving children smartphones too early might be harmful, especially during their important growing years. In response, a growing movement - Smartphone-Free Childhood - encourages families to consider delaying smartphones until at least the end of Year 9, giving kids more time to develop away from the pressures of constant online access.

What Is Smartphone-Free Childhood?

Started by a group of concerned parents, the Smartphone-Free Childhood campaign has rapidly grown into a nationwide grassroots movement. It’s built on one clear message: 

children don’t need smartphones to have a healthy, connected, modern childhood - and delaying is not only possible, but often better.

At the heart of the campaign is the Parent Pact - a simple pledge where families agree to wait together before giving their children smartphones. When parents act as a community, the pressure eases: kids don’t feel singled out, and families don’t feel like they’re swimming against the tide.

Belper Leads the Way

Here in Belper, we’ve become a leading light in the movement. A cluster of six local primary schools has officially declared themselves smartphone-free and sent a joint letter to parents sharing concerns about early phone use.

Belper now has the highest number of Parent Pacts signed in Derbyshire, creating a strong, united front across the area. You can view the local Derbyshire Parent Pact results here. This collective action shows just how powerful a local community can be when it comes together to support childhood over convenience.

Why Parents Are Waiting

Delaying smartphones doesn’t mean cutting children off from technology. Many families use basic phones for communication and allow supervised tablet use at home. The key difference is this: they’re waiting to introduce the internet, apps, and social media - and here’s why.

1. Puberty Is a Vulnerable Time

Early adolescence (ages 11–14) is a period of huge emotional and physical change. Children become more aware of peer opinions, more sensitive to social comparison, and less equipped to manage big feelings.

Smartphones, especially with social media, can make this phase much harder. Studies show that early phone use is linked to increased anxiety, lower self-esteem, disrupted sleep, and more exposure to bullying or inappropriate content. Giving children time to develop emotional resilience before handing over a smartphone just makes sense.

2. Real-Life Skills Come First

Childhood is when social skills are formed - through conversation, conflict, teamwork, and play. These skills are best developed in person, not via messaging apps or filtered photos.

Online interaction often skips the nuance of body language and tone, which can lead to misunderstandings and social stress. Waiting means more time for children to build genuine friendships in the real world.

3. Phones Are Built to Distract

Smartphones are addictive by design. Even adults struggle to manage screen time - and children are no different. Phones can interfere with school, hobbies, sleep, and even family time. By delaying, children can focus more on what matters most: learning, playing, and being present.

4. Safety Comes with Maturity

Smartphones give access to the entire internet, often with limited filters. Even with parental controls, kids can encounter harmful content or get drawn into drama-filled group chats. Introducing smartphones later, when children are more mature and better able to manage boundaries, supports safer, more responsible use.

5. Less Pressure, More Peace

Many children say that having a smartphone can feel overwhelming - constant group chats, pressure to respond, fear of missing out. Parents often notice their kids are calmer, happier, and more focused without one. Childhood is short. Why rush it?

The Power of the Parent Pact

One of the biggest worries parents have is that their child will feel left out. But the Parent Pact changes that. When families sign the pact together - either informally within friendship groups or through schools - children feel reassured, and parents feel supported.

It’s not about judgement. It’s about confidence in a shared decision - and creating a new “normal” where it’s OK for children to wait.

Schools Are Stepping Up

More schools across the UK are taking steps to reduce smartphone use - either by banning phones during the day or encouraging families to delay smartphone ownership altogether.

Belper’s cluster of six primary schools is a great example of schools leading the way and working alongside parents. Their joint letter to families marked a turning point, showing how strong partnerships between schools and parents can reshape expectations and give childhood back to children.

It’s Not About Saying “Never” - It’s About Saying “Not Yet”

The Smartphone-Free Childhood movement isn’t anti-technology. It’s pro-childhood. Kids will absolutely need to learn how to use smartphones - but later, when their brains and emotions are better prepared.

By waiting until at least the end of Year 9, families are giving their children the gift of time - to mature, grow in confidence, and develop healthy habits before the pressures of the online world arrive.

To find visit the Smartphone-Free Childhood website, click here.

To visit Derbyshire's Smartphone-Free Childhood group, click here.

The schools in Belper's cluster are Ambergate Primary, Heage Primary, Herbert Strutt Primary, Long Row Primary, Pottery Primary and St. John's CE Primary.

Written by Gareth and Lydia Roulston