Parents want more school leaders to ban smartphones

Parents across Kent are calling for more heads of primary and secondary schools to ban smartphones.

More than 1,270 parents in the county have signed an open letter supporting heads to adopt stronger approaches to mobile devices, according to Generation Focus and Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC).

It comes as six Tunbridge Wells schools announced they were banning new Year 7s from using smartphones during school hours.

Mother-of-four Angharad Salmond said: "When schools adopt this policy, it also helps strengthen parents' education to children about smartphone use at home."

The 39-year-old from Sevenoaks said her son, who is in Year 7, uses a phone with no internet access and she "has seen the benefits".

"It encourages him to speak to people if he has questions, like asking the bus driver about the timetable or speaking to shop owners if he wanted to buy something," she added.

"This has given him more confidence in real-life interaction."

She said the approach was about "setting boundaries".

"My husband and I are creating an environment at home where excessive screen time isn't the norm," she said.

Liz Scarff, from Faversham, has a daughter who is due to start Year 7 in September.

"I am concerned about unregulated social media content appearing on children's phones," she said.

"High school years are formative for social development and friendships.

"It's important young people have these experiences rather than spending most of their time behind a screen.

"I have an open conversation with my daughter about smartphones and I educate her why it shouldn't be used as a distraction device."

Felicity Winkles, East Kent regional leader for SFC and Generation Focus, said many parents had expressed concerns about distraction, safeguarding and the impact of smartphones on children's wellbeing.

"Schools are already working hard to manage smartphones, but parents are increasingly asking whether the simplest solution is not to have them on site at all," she added.

Kent County Council has been approached for comment.

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