Smartphone Free
Supporting Our Children's Wellbeing Together
At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, we believe in fostering a childhood free from the pressures and risks associated with smartphones and social media.
In a powerful display of our school community coming together, so far 81 people have signed a Parent Pact pledging not to give their children smartphones before the age of 14 and to delay access to social media until 16.
This initiative, part of the national Smartphone Free Childhood movement, is designed to ensure children can grow, play, and develop without the negative effects of digital distractions.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School has become a Smartphone-Free School from September 2025
We have implemented a smartphone-free policy. As part of this initiative, pupils in 6 will not be permitted to bring smartphones to school. We believe this approach will support parents who wish to delay the purchase of such devices and will help reinforce a consistent and unified message between home and school.
Exceptions to this policy will be made only for students who require a smartphone for medical reasons, such as managing diabetes. In special circumstances, non-smart mobile phones (commonly referred to as "brick phones") may be allowed, but only with prior approval from the Headteacher. We appreciate your support in promoting a focused and healthy learning environment for all our pupils.
Why Delay Smartphones and Social Media?
More and more scientific research is backing up parental experience to show that early smartphone and social media exposure can be harmful to children. Some of the biggest concerns include:
- Mental Health Impact – Studies show that children who spend more time on social media are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
- Addictive Nature – Social media apps are designed to be highly addictive, with children spending an average of 4 hours per day on their phones by age 12.
- Exposure to Harmful Content – Research shows that 40% of children are exposed to inappropriate content within a week of joining social media.
- Reduced Sleep and Focus – Screen time before bed significantly reduces sleep quality, with studies linking smartphone use to an increase in attention difficulties.
- Cyberbullying – Over 60% of teenagers report experiencing cyberbullying, with younger children being particularly vulnerable.
There are many great sources of information on the challenges that come from Smartphones and Social Media. Here are a few:
A Stolen Childhood (Main film) - YouTube
Jonathan Haidt – No Time Like the Present | Nudgestock 2024 - YouTube
Watch Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones | Stream free on Channel 4
A Community Effort to Reduce Social Pressure
One of the biggest challenges parents face is peer pressure – both for themselves and their children. Many parents feel forced to give their child a smartphone simply because “everyone else has one.” The Parent Pact at Sacred Heart helps remove this pressure by creating a unified community approach.
Today, 94% of primary school parents think smartphones are harmful. Yet 90% of children have smartphones by year 7. This happens because the social pressure becomes unbearable once the majority of children have smartphones in a class.
The Parent Pact aims to break this cycle by enabling parents to socially coordinate and to have the confidence that their child won’t be socially excluded if they don’t have a smartphone.
We recognise that technology has immense benefits, and young people should be able to enjoy the opportunities it creates – when they’re ready and when it’s safe to do so.
But childhood is precious and fleeting. All children should have the opportunity to learn, develop and grow free from the addictive-by-design algorithms and age-inappropriate content of social media and smartphones.
The Smartphone Free Childhood Movement recommends that if parents want to give their child a phone, that they give their child a simple phone instead of a smartphone until the end of Year 9 (at the earliest). That means you can keep in touch when they’re out and about using calls and texts, without any of the harms associated with smartphones and social media.
When children want to use the internet, we recommend that they do so on a shared family computer, which could even have WhatsApp on it if you feel comfortable with that. This way they can get acquainted with the digital world and stay connected to their friends without the temptation of having it in their pocket 24/7.
For a list of alternatives to smartphones, see The Alternatives
Why do I need to do this now? Can’t I wait?
We recognise that for parents and carers of children in younger years that this challenge may feel a long way off. However, it is far easier to engage with this topic before it becomes an issue. As children start to get smartphones in the later years of primary school, it is much, much harder to socially coordinate. We therefore encourage all new parents to sign this pact so that it is not something that you have to worry about during your time at Sacred Heart.
What about when they go to secondary school?
This effort is part of a national initiative. Primary Schools in Hertford and are have signed a joint statement showing commitment to be Smartphone Free Schools.
From September 2025, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School will be a Smartphone Free School.
Join the Movement – Sign the Parent Pact
We invite all parents at Sacred Heart to join us in this commitment and help protect childhood from digital harm.
👉 PLEASE SIGN THE PARENT PACT TODAY: