Thousands in UK demand smartphone-free childhood, calling for drastic measures.

Concerned mothers launch local WhatsApp group, drawing over 4,000 members.

Over 4,000 parents have united in a collective effort to prevent young children from owning smartphones, fueled by increasing concerns regarding online safety and the potential negative effects of social media on mental well-being.

Initiated by former schoolmates Clare Fernyhough and Daisy Greenwell, the WhatsApp group “Smartphone Free Childhood” emerged as a response to their apprehensions about children’s smartphone usage and the prevalent trend of providing them with such devices upon entering secondary school.

With both Fernyhough and Greenwell having children around the ages of seven to nine, they found themselves deeply troubled by the prospect of their kids having smartphones at the age of 11, which has become commonplace in society.

Their aspiration with this movement is to empower parents to postpone granting smartphones to their children until they reach at least 14 years old, with a strict rule of no access to social media until the age of 16.

What started as a modest circle of friends aiming to mutually support and empower one another has unexpectedly blossomed into a nationwide movement. Within just 24 hours of Greenwell sharing an Instagram post to promote the group, it reached its 1,000-person capacity.

“We were utterly taken aback by this,” remarked Fernyhough. “It simply skyrocketed beyond our expectations.”

The duo urged individuals to establish local groups to meet the increasing demand. “Within thirty minutes, we witnessed the spontaneous emergence of thirty local groups spanning the entire country, and this network continues to grow,” Fernyhough noted.

Transformed into a community to accommodate more members, the group now boasts approximately 4,500 participants.

Fernyhough emphasized that smartphones expose children to content they are ill-prepared to handle, such as pornography and material related to self-harm and suicide, which can significantly impact their mental well-being. “It became evident to me that they simply don’t require one. At that age, a basic phone suffices for all their needs.”

According to Ofcom research, 91% of children in the UK possess a smartphone by the age of 11, with 44% owning one by the age of nine.

“We initially believed our stance was extreme, which prompted us to seek solidarity with others. However, we’ve come to realize that inadvertently, we’ve shed light on an issue that demands discussion. Many individuals share our concerns but have felt unable to express them,” Fernyhough remarked.

Brianna’s tragic murder occurred on February 11, 2023, and her mother attributes her vulnerability to extensive time spent online.

According to Fernyhough, the objective is to shift societal norms. By the time children reach the end of primary school, the aim is for the entire class to collectively decide to postpone smartphone ownership until at least the age of 14. This approach ensures that when transitioning to secondary school, there’s a substantial group of peers adhering to the same guideline, thereby alleviating peer pressure.

“We aim to prevent our children from being the sole outliers upon entering secondary school,” Fernyhough explained. “No parent would want their child to endure that ordeal. However, if a significant portion—be it 20%, 30%, or even 50%—of children arrive with parents making this decision, they are in a much more favorable position.