Teachers urge parents to delay giving their young children smartphones
Teachers are urging parents not to give their children smartphones until they’re at least 14, amid fears over excessive screen time and adverse effects to mental health.
Monmouthshire in south Wales could become the first area in the UK to adopt a new no-smartphone stance backed by primary and secondary school teachers.
They are advising that 9,000+ children under 14 in their schools should not have smartphones.
Headteacher Hugo Hutchinson of Monmouth Comprehensive School warned that some students are online until the early hours of the morning.
This has fuelled cyberbullying and toxicity for pre-teens and manifested in worrying levels of bullying and declining standards of schoolwork.
“We’re experiencing much higher levels of mental health issues as a result,” Mr. Hutchinson said.
He added: “Addiction to smartphones is having a fundamental impact on learning and life chances.”
Smartphones are already banned in Monmouthshire schools, but the new guidance extends to home life where, of course, teachers have no power to enforce restrictions.
Parents will be encouraged to do more, and the move has broad support.
One parent, Emma, says she refused to give her 12-year-old son, Monty, a smartphone despite him feeling left out when on the school bus.
She’s even locked away her own phone to set an example, describing the experience as a “mini break.”
However, others remain unconvinced.
Another parent, Nicholas Dorkings, said his son has used a smartphone since he was eight without problems, calling it “a calming thing.”
Children are also divided on the issue, though 11-year-old Lili says waiting to 14 or 15 to get a smartphone makes sense.
Monmouthshire schools hope the guidance will empower parents who are worried about saying no to their child.