Let Your Kids be Kids
Join Wimbledon Parents in lobbying local schools to make a stand: strongly recommending all parents not to give their kids smartphones till at least 14.
We can make it a norm not having a smartphone among peer groups. We want what Southwark schools did on June 6th - unite and make a stand.
Our mission
Sooner than you may like, your child will start asking for their own smartphone. If many kids in their year group already have them, the pressure on you to give in becomes immense.
TakeThePledge empowers Wimbledon parents to unite & say 'yes' to making NOT having a smartphone the norm among peer groups.
Knowing other parents are delaying helps alleviate the pressure to expose children to the risks of smart devices and social media.
When we have a minimum of 20 signatures for your school, they will be passed to your school head. The Smartphone free childhood movement is gaining ground in UK. We were inspired by all of St Albans schools organising and going smartphone free and on June 6th Southwark schools also united and made a stand.
We feel phone lockers in school and government guidance for ban in school is not enough. Education quality and kids wellbeing are still being impacted when kids are back on their smartphones outside the school gates.
What do we want the schools to do?
Come out with a strong recommendation to parents not to give children a smartphone or social media account untll at least 14-16 years old. Adopt an acceptable use of screens policy similar to this school so homework doesn't depend on having a smartphone. Wimbledon schools to come out with a statement similar to Southwark.
"Take the Pledge is instrumental in empowering schools to take a stand and raising awareness amongst Wimbledon parents about the benefits of dealying smartphone usage." - Anna K (A Donhead parent)
#1. Smartphone Addiction
Recent research reveals that smartphone dependence triggers addictive brain responses akin to those seen in alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction¹. Smartphones act like mini slot machines in your child's pocket, constantly urging them for more screen time². Tech companies intentionally design apps and social media platforms to keep users hooked for extended periods, as that's how they profit.
#2. Academic Distraction
Elementary and middle school are crucial for building the foundation of academic success. Children learn valuable skills like time management, project handling, and homework discipline during these years. Introducing a smartphone as a constant distraction could lead to subpar academic performance. Early findings from a National Institute of Health brain development study³ indicate that children spending over two hours a day on screens score lower on cognitive tests. Research from the University of Texas suggests that even the mere presence of smartphones reduces cognitive capacity and test performance.
Why delay smartphones
We feel phone lockers in school are not enough. Education quality and kids wellbeing are still being impacted when kids are back on the smartphone outside the school gates.
What do we want the schools to do?
Come out with a strong recommendation to parents not to give children a smartphone or social media account untll at least 14-16 years old. Adopt an acceptable use of screens policy similar to this school so homework doesn't depend on having a smartphone. Wimbledon schools to come out with a statement similar to Southwark.
Please refer to guides below where you can find exemplary policies from other schools.