Parents in Stamford, Lincolnshire, are being encouraged to sign a pledge as part of the Stamford Cyberwise Campaign to delay giving their children smartphones until the end of primary school. The initiative, led by The Conversation Stamford, aims to address concerns about the impact of smartphones on young minds. It also includes recommendations to avoid social media until age 13 and implement parental controls until age 16. The campaign has garnered support from local primary schools, with headteachers expressing enthusiasm for fostering healthier digital habits among children.

Workshops are being held across Stamford primary schools to educate parents on the effects of smartphones on children’s mental health and well-being. These sessions, led by educators from The Conversation Stamford, focus on helping parents understand appropriate ages for smartphone use, effective parental controls, and app selection for young users. Parents are encouraged to evaluate their children’s digital habits and consider how mobile phones influence mental health and social development. Attendance is free, with sessions scheduled throughout March at various schools in the area.

The campaign emphasizes that children’s brains are not fully equipped to handle the complexities of digital interaction at a young age. Organizers Gemma Holberg and Sarah Jane Sauntson stress the importance of reversing current trends by informing parents and empowering them to make conscious decisions about their children’s smartphone use. They aim to create a cultural shift where delaying smartphone access becomes the norm.

By working with schools and parents, the campaign seeks to instill self-awareness in children about their digital habits. Workshops for older students at secondary schools focus on encouraging them to critically assess whether their smartphone use is beneficial or harmful. This holistic approach aims to promote positive habits and reduce potential risks associated with early smartphone exposure.