We have the following uptake (on 10/11/25):

Year group / No. children whose parent/carer has signed pact

• P1 -15 (37%)

• P2 - 26 (59%)

• P3 - 30 (65%)

• P4 - 22 (38%)

• P5 - 25 (45%)

• P6 - 17 (43%)

• P7 - less than 5

• If you would like to be taken off the pact list, please email: uddsmartphonefree@gmail.com

Click here to find out more about the national smartphone free childhood campaign

uddsmartphonefree@gmail.com

Please see the three green tiles with the 'play' buttons on them, to hear what the panel discussed

- some of the data related to, the increase in adults and children seeking help due to what they are experiencing online

-Shares the lack of protection children have online and highlights some of the things children are exposed to online

-Gives an overview of the concerns which are impacting children's wellbeing online

-The reasoning behind the campaign

-The journey and how to setup the campaign

-The hurdles and positives of the journey

-Provides some top tips for setting up the campaign within a school

-Shares the impact Smartphones and Internet has on children's mental wellbeing

-Highlights the resources and learning experiences utilised to teach children about Safer Internet use

-Shares the school aim to equip children for the future and foster skills for life.

1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 ⏳
   The average 12-15 year-old in the UK now spends 35 hours a week on their smartphone, according to a 2025 Uni of Birmingham study. If they’re smartphone-free, they have equivalent to a full time job of extra time to play, chat, mess about and explore the world in real life.

2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 ✊
   Kids without smartphones aren’t influenced by toxic social media pressures or digital validation. They have space to explore who they really are, free from the constant stress of online likes and status.

3. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 🗣️
   Without a smartphone acting as a middleman, kids focus on socialising in real life. Relationships are built on real human connection, and strengthening these essential life skills enables them to forge deeper friendships.

4. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 😊
   Teens who are addicted to their smartphones are 2x as likely to have anxiety and 3x as likely to have depression, according to a study by Kings College London. The less time they spend online and the more time they spend with friends and family in the real world, the better their overall wellbeing.

5. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🤖
   Being tech-savvy isn’t about getting good at TikTok – it’s about knowing how to use technology productively. The less time spent passively scrolling, the more time they have to develop the critical thinking, focus, and creative problem solving that will set them up for success in an AI-fuelled future.

6. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 📚
   Without the constant distraction of a smartphone, kids can fully engage in learning and schoolwork. They can develop their interests free from addictive algorithms, which results in better concentration and grades.

7. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 💤
   Teenagers need 8-10 hours per night to support their physical and mental development. Kids without smartphones get longer and deeper sleep which results in improved brain function and emotional regulation.

1. throw a ball at the dinosaur with the smartphone

2. fill in a leaf &/ flower on the smartphone reflection tree

If you are thinking about getting your child a phone, there are lots of great alternative devices suggested at the national Smartphone Free Childhood website – see link elsewhere on this padlet.

"Most American teenagers who have smartphones report getting:

more than 230 notifications a day

and nearly 25% of them arrive when they’re at school"

_{source: ‘The Amazing Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price}