Hertfordshire schools encouraged to back smartphone-free childhood pledge

Hertfordshire County Council's Bricks for 26: smartphone-free schools collective action pledge brings together schools, families and partners in an effort to support children's wellbeing, reduce online harms and promote safer digital lives.

The initiative supports the county council's ambition for all primary schools to become smartphone-free and for secondary schools to introduce smartphone-free policies from Year 7, rolling forward year by year from the 2027/28 academic year.

County Councillors Anthony Rowlands and Allison Wren recently visited Sandringham School in St Albans, one of a number of Hertfordshire schools already taking action to reduce smartphone use during the school day and heard how the approach aligns with the school's commitment to creating an environment where pupils can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

The campaign comes as Hertfordshire's recent review of national evidence highlighted growing concerns about the impact of smartphone and social media use on children's wellbeing:

• By the age of 14, more than nine in ten young people own a smartphone and are using social media
• One in four children and young people show signs of problematic smartphone use, linked to a greater risk of poor mental health, higher stress, disrupted sleep and poorer educational outcomes
• Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression
• 73% of parents say that excessive smartphone use is the source of family conflict
• 80% of bullying that 8-17 yr olds experience is online, with one in three children reporting experiencing online bullying, compared to 15% in person

The evidence suggests that delaying smartphone ownership is associated with improved physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for children and young people. It also highlights the importance of ensuring children have time for face-to-face social interaction, play, learning and other activities that support healthy development.

Schools are now legally required to be phone-free during the school day. Through Bricks for 26, Hertfordshire is supporting schools that wish to go further by working alongside families and communities to delay smartphone use and create healthier digital environments for children and young people.

The initiative recognises that many parents would like to delay giving their child a smartphone but often feel under pressure when other children in their peer group already have one. By acting collectively, schools across Hertfordshire can help establish a consistent approach that supports families to make those choices with confidence and changes expectations around smartphone ownership.

Schools signing the pledge receive practical resources, guidance and communications materials to help engage families and support implementation. During the visit, school leaders discussed the important role schools, families and communities can play in supporting healthy digital habits and positive wellbeing. Councillors also met with Year 7 pupils, who shared their experiences of attending a smartphone-free school, including fewer distractions in lessons and more opportunities for face-to-face interaction with friends.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, Hertfordshire County Council's Children and Young People's Mental Health Champion, said:

"We know technology brings many benefits, but we also know there are growing concerns around issues such as online bullying, poor sleep, mental wellbeing and the amount of time children are spending on smartphones and social media.

"That's why initiatives like Bricks for 26 are so important. By working together with schools and families, we can help children develop healthy digital habits that support positive mental health, resilience and give them the best possible start in life.

"Many parents tell us they would prefer to delay giving their child a smartphone but worry about their child being the only one without one. Bricks for 26 helps schools and families act together, creating a new social norm that supports healthier childhoods and safer digital lives."

Councillor Allison Wren, Deputy Executive Member for Community Safety and Public Health, said:

"Public health is about creating environments that make healthy choices easier. Bricks for 26 applies that principle to the digital world by supporting schools and families to work together around a shared approach to smartphone use.

"This initiative takes a practical and balanced approach to a challenge that many parents and professionals are grappling with. It recognises the benefits technology can offer while helping children avoid some of the risks associated with early access to smartphones and social media.

"We want children to enjoy the benefits of technology while developing healthy digital habits, strong friendships and positive wellbeing."

Mark Nicholls, Headteacher at Sandringham School, said:

"As with all schools, we want our pupils to enjoy all the opportunities that technology can bring, while ensuring they are protected from some of the challenges that can come with early smartphone use.

"Signing the Bricks for 26 collective action pledge reflects our commitment to supporting children's wellbeing and creating a school community where healthy relationships, face-to-face communication and learning can flourish."

Hertfordshire schools can find out more about the Bricks for 26 collection action pledge and access resources, guidance and support through Just Talk Hertfordshire.

Parents can also support the initiative by signing the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact, a national movement that enables families to make a shared commitment to delaying smartphone ownership and helps reduce the pressure many parents feel when making decisions about their child's digital life. By joining with other local families, parents can feel more confident in their choices and know they are not making these decisions alone, reinforcing the collective action at the heart of Bricks for 26.