Smartphone Free Childhood: Protecting Children

In this Faith In The Home column, Adriana Lyons, member of St Edmund’s parish, highlights the Smartphone Free Childhood initiative which focuses on the growing concern over children’s smartphone use.

Statistics from Ofcom reveal the extent to which smartphones have become embedded in the lives of even our very youngest, with a fifth of 3- to 4-year-olds owning one. That rises to a quarter for 5 to 7-year-olds and by age 12, almost all children – 89% – own one.  

When children first started owning smartphones a decade ago, there was little research about the impact they might have, but today the evidence is overwhelming: smartphones are fuelling a global mental health crisis. 

Against this context Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots movement bringing parents together to stand up for healthier and happier childhoods.

Giving children access to online content that they aren’t yet equipped to deal with can cause a whole host of problems, from triggering anxiety and eating disorders to opening the door to cyberbullying and sexual predators, according to the latest research. When children are given access to the whole world in their pocket, we give the whole world access to our children and the consequences for them, for families and our society are profound. 

“When kids are on their phones all day, it’s not just what they’re doing that matters — it’s what they’re not doing. They’re missing out on crucial experiences that help them grow into healthy adults.” Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Social Psychology, NYU 

Childhood is precious and fleeting and children should be allowed to grow up free from the influence of addictive algorithms and inappropriate content. While technology brings opportunities and advantages, children should benefit only when the time is right – and if it is safe.  

Parents face an almost impossible choice: many know that smartphones are harmful but the pressure from peers is strong. Across the world, governments are thinking about how to legislate to protect childhood, but proper regulation will take years and for many that will be too late.

Smartphone Free Childhood believes that together we can reject the narrative that a childhood spent staring at a screen is harmless, and by working collectively to choose to wait before buying our children smartphones, the pressure will surely diminish.

To join this initiative and help all our children lead healthier and happier childhoods visit
www.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk and www.smartphonefreeschools.co.uk. 

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may probe what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”   St Paul, Romans 12.

To express your support contact the Marriage and Family Life Coordinator
mflcoordinator@rcdea.org.uk

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