Smartphone Free Childhood at Waterside Primary Academy

A Parent-Led Initiative, Supported by the School

At Waterside Primary Academy, we are proud to support a parent-led initiative that focuses on protecting and nurturing childhood in an increasingly digital world.

The Smartphone Free Childhood movement is driven by parents who want to work together to make informed, balanced choices about when children are introduced to smartphones and social media. As a school, our role is simply to support, share information, and help facilitate open conversations.

This is not about telling families what to do. Every family is different, and we fully respect that parents and carers will make the decisions that are right for their own children.

Supporting Our Children’s Wellbeing Together

Many parents are reflecting on the role of smartphones and social media in childhood. This initiative creates a space for those conversations to happen in a supportive, informed, and community-focused way.

By working together, families can feel more confident in their choices and less influenced by the pressure of “everyone else is doing it.”

Why Are Some Families Choosing to Delay Smartphones?

There is increasing research, alongside parental experience, suggesting that early access to smartphones and social media can present challenges for children. These may include:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing
  Links have been identified between high levels of social media use and increased anxiety or low mood in young people.
• Highly Engaging (and Hard to Switch Off)
  Many apps are designed to keep users engaged, which can make it difficult for children to manage screen time independently.
• Exposure to Content
  Children may come across content that is not appropriate for their age.
• Sleep and Focus
  Screen use, especially before bed, can impact sleep and concentration in school.
• Online Safety
  Navigating the online world can be challenging for younger children without close supervision.

We share this information simply to support parents in making informed choices, not to create concern or pressure.

There are many great sources of information on the challenges that come from Smartphones and Social Media. Here are a few:

• An excellent 12 minute video from Papaya Parenting
• A half hour summary of the leading book on the subject, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt 
• An excellent and entertaining documentary called “Swiped” on Channel4
• A five minute impassioned plea from Hugh Grant (yes, THE Hugh Grant!)

 

A Community Approach

One of the most common challenges parents mention is peer pressure – both for children and adults.

Some families choose to delay smartphones, while others may introduce them earlier for a range of valid reasons. This initiative helps create understanding across the community, so that no family feels isolated in their decision.

For those who wish to, there is the option to join a Parent Pact Sign the Parent Pact, where families voluntarily agree to:

• Delay smartphones until around the end of Year 9 (age 14)
• Delay access to social media until age 16

This is entirely optional and simply offers reassurance for families who would like to take a shared approach.

We’re Not Anti-Technology – We’re Pro-Childhood

At Waterside, we recognise the many benefits of technology and the important role it plays in children’s futures.

Our aim is not to remove technology, but to encourage thoughtful, age-appropriate use. Many families find a gradual approach helpful, such as:

• Starting with basic phones for calls and texts
• Using shared family devices for internet access
• Introducing social media at a later stage

These are suggestions only, and we understand that every family’s circumstances are different.

Starting the Conversation Early

For families with younger children, this may feel like something for the future. However, many parents find it helpful to think about these decisions early, before they become more influenced by peer expectations.

By having open, supportive conversations now, we can help create a community where all choices are respected.

Looking Ahead

As children move on to secondary school, smartphone use often increases. By connecting with other schools and families, this parent-led movement aims to build a shared understanding across communities.

Join the Conversation

We warmly invite all Waterside families to be part of this conversation – whether that means learning more, sharing views, or simply listening.

This is about:

• Supporting one another
• Respecting different choices
• Keeping children’s wellbeing at the heart of what we do

If you would like to find out more or get involved, please speak to the school office or look out for future parent-led events and information sessions.

Join the Movement – Sign the Parent Pact

Since launching nationally in September 2023, over 165,000 parents have signed the Smartphone Free Childhood pact, including 1,700 parents in Buckinghamshire.

You can see the Buckinghamshire league table here.

You can see how many parents have signed the pact in your class here.

We invite all parents at Waterside Primary Academy to join us in this commitment and help protect childhood from digital harm.

PLEASE SIGN THE PARENT PACT TODAY: https://parentpact.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk

And if you’d like to be part of the conversation, join the school Whatsapp group