British Schools Ask Parents to Say No to Smartphones Before 14

Screens are everywhere. For many kids, they’re part of daily life from the moment they wake up.

But in one small town in the UK, a group of schools is trying to change that. And it’s actually working.

Just north of London, in St Albans, 11 primary schools came together in 2024, reports Ziare.

They wrote a joint letter to parents asking them not to give their kids smartphones until they turn 14.

It wasn’t a law. There were no punishments. But it was a strong message. And it came from a shared frustration: parents feeling they had no choice because “every other kid has one.”

The schools were seeing the effects firsthand. More students were tired in class. Some were anxious or irritable.

Others just seemed lost in their own heads. Teachers suspected that phones were playing a big role.

Kids were staying up late. Some were being bullied online. Others were exposed to adult content, violent videos, or endless social media comparisons.

The campaign took its cue from psychologist Jonathan Haidt and his book The Anxious Generation.

He argues that kids aren’t ready for the digital world and that early exposure can harm emotional growth.

At first, some families pushed back. A few parents weren’t happy when phones were taken away.

Some kids were even pulled out of class. But the overall effect was surprising.

At Cunningham Hill School, 75% of sixth graders used to have smartphones. That number dropped to 12% within a year.

And it wasn’t just numbers. Parents started supporting each other. When one said “no,” others did too. They didn’t feel alone anymore. They had backup.

The movement gained national attention. A group called Smartphone Free Childhood joined in.

They believe no one under 14 needs a smartphone. For social media, they suggest waiting until at least 16.

Ironically, much of the campaign has been shared through Instagram and WhatsApp. That’s where the parents are.

Now, more school meetings are packed. Not for grades or tests. But to talk about phones. That says a lot.

Even some of the school heads admit they gave their own kids phones too soon. But they’re changing too.

This isn’t just about tech. It’s about taking back control—together.