Opinion: What's the role of primary schools?

Recent research shows that the earlier a child gets a smartphone, the worse their mental health will be.

And yet the age a child gets their first smartphone is getting younger and younger. 

In the UK, the average age for a child to receive a smartphone is now 9, with 24% of 5-7 year-olds owning their own device.  

Primary schools therefore play a crucial role in setting a different social norm, and empowering parents to delay giving smartphones to their children for longer. 

If primary schools are smartphone free, there is far less peer pressure for children to have a smartphone. This makes it easier for parents to make pacts to delay together, meaning peer groups can move on to primary school with simple phones, not smartphones. 

This then helps Heads of secondary schools set stricter rules around smartphones,  creating a positive ripple effect for older children. 

Smartphone free primary schools are the first step in protecting childhood. 

Primary schools leading the way 

Here are some primary schools taking the lead on going smartphone free.

Ropley C.E. Primary School, Hampshire.

Avonwood Primary School, Dorset

St. Peter’s C of E Primary School, Budleigh Salterton, Devon