Primary schools commit to going smartphone free

More than a hundred primary schools in Hampshire have announced they are committed to becoming completely smartphone free by January 2026.

A hundred and fifteen schools have signed a collective letter that is due to go out to parents later.

The initiative has been led by Smartphone Free Childhood, a grassroots movement encouraging all schools in Hampshire to take collective action.

It has raised concerns about the effect that smartphones can have on children's mental health, cyberbullying and being exposed to inappropriate material.

One of the schools involved is Weeke Primary in Winchester, which headteacher Jonathan Kirkham said had made a commitment to work together with parents.

He said: "We want to move towards giving children the opportunity to come to school without a smartphone, without a device that's, we believe, having an impact on them as individuals, as children."

But one parent with a child at the school, Chelsea, said she could see some advantages of children using smartphones.

She said: "Obviously not so much in school, but going on the way to school or home from school, ideally with iPhones and Samsung's, you can do Find my Friend if you child's not answering, and they've got their location on, you can see where they are.

"All the old 'brick' phones, you can't do that."

Clare Fernyhough is a founder of Smartphone Free Childhood and leads the campaign in Hampshire.

She said: "This is a significant moment for Hampshire's school children.

"The average age a child receives their own smartphone is now around nine - so it's essential that primary schools lead the way on tackling this issue.

"Making schools completely smartphone free gives children a break from the relentless burden of social media, and allows them at least six hours a day to focus, interact and enjoy their precious school years."

"But smartphone free schools not only protect the school day - they also help shift the wider societal norms, by empowering parents to delay giving a device to their child.

"We hope this powerful example of collective action in Hampshire will inspire other counties to follow. "

In England, there are no laws about smartphone use in schools, however, the government has issued some guidance around it.

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