Common pushbacks
We hear time and again that one of the hardest things for head teachers when they're changing their policy around smartphones, is pushback from the parents. But many of the arguments against smartphone free schools don't stand up to scrutiny. Here are some answers to the most common complaints:
This policy is encroaching on my child’s human rights.
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A child’s rights must be treated with the utmost respect. But smartphones and social media put children in a position where they are exploited, and sent harmful content. A child has a right to be protected from harm, and as adults it is our job to ensure that this happens. We believe that allowing children unsupervised access to the internet, which lays them open to inappropriate content, exploitation and grooming, does not respect their rights.
My child’s smartphone is safe - it’s got parental controls.
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A recent Parentkind survey showed that 47% of kids with parental controls on their smartphones were bypassing them. 71% of children with parental controls imposed, have still experienced harm online.
My child needs a smartphone to be safe on the journey to and from school.
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A brick phone is more than enough for the journey to and from school, and indeed there is evidence it is a safer option than a smartphone. With a brick phone (a phone with no internet connection), your child can contact you in case of emergency or delays. It’s also worth remembering that the number of children who get mugged every day (500 in the UK) has increased significantly over the past 10 years - since children owning a smartphone became commonplace. When it comes to road safety, 20% of secondary school pupils who use their phone while walking have either been hit, or involved in a near miss, with a vehicle. Replacing your child’s smartphone with a brick phone or no phone at all will likely make their journey to school safer.
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I want to track my child.
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Tracking devices (such as airtags) can track your child if required. The Pinwheel brick phone also contains GPS tracking capability. However, we would urge parents to consider whether tracking is necessary. A brick phone is more than adequate for emergencies. Furthermore, tracking your children teaches them that the world isn’t safe unless they are constantly monitored. This is arguably not the message we want to be sending our children as it risks making them anxious.
I need to be able to contact my child during the school day.
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This is still possible through the school office.
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My child needs to be able to contact me during the school day.
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Constant contact with home hinders the development of independence, confidence and problem-solving skills - an essential part of childhood development. Autonomy is healthy! Children need to be able to find solutions to problems themselves without constant contact with a parent. In the case of an emergency children can of course phone home from the school office.
My child has diabetes and needs a phone to monitor their blood sugar levels.
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Where a phone is being used as a medical device it will of course be permitted. Specialist pouches with velcro openings (as opposed to the usual magnetic locks) are available for children with medical needs.
My child has special educational needs and needs a phone.
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If you feel there are exceptional circumstances that require your child to use their mobile phone during the school day, please let us know and we will provide access arrangements where appropriate.
We need to equip our children to live in the digital world.
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We are not anti-technology. We support parents to give their children a smartphone when they are 16 and their brains are better able to handle the challenges. The digital skills required to use a smartphone are extremely basic - it takes minutes to learn how to navigate TikTok. The challenge is managing the addiction, the exposure to extreme content and the enormous opportunity cost.