Tech and Science Daily | The Standard Should more schools ban smartphones?
Feb 21, 2025
Clare Fernyhough, a founding partner of Smartphone Free Childhood, joins to discuss the alarming impacts of smartphones on kids. With over 100 schools in Barnet banning smartphones to improve student focus, they delve into how these devices contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Clare shares insights on how smartphone addiction hampers children's social skills and highlights legislative movements aimed at safeguarding their well-being. A thought-provoking conversation about creating a healthier learning environment!
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Smartphone Ban at All Saints
- All Saints School in Ladbroke Grove banned smartphones.
- Students can have phones but will be confiscated if seen.
Age of First Phone
- A quarter of five-year-olds have their own device, and the average age for a first phone is nine.
- This raises concerns about children's social skill development, as childhood is becoming more screen-based.
Negative Impacts of Smartphones at School
- Smartphones at school cause distraction, safeguarding risks (e.g., violent content), and increased bullying.
- They correlate with loneliness, anxiety, and depression, hindering children's mental health.