Dear Parents,

Across the UK, schools and families are grappling with a pressing question: how do smartphones affect our children’s learning, mental health, and ability to connect with the world around them?

Last week, Channel 4 launched a groundbreaking documentary, Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, exploring one school’s bold decision to address this issue head-on—with extraordinary results.

• 50% of all 9-year-olds in the UK own a smartphone, and 43% of teens admit to using their phones during lessons.
• Frequent social media use increases the risk of depression in children by 27%, while one in four children now use their phones in ways resembling behavioural addiction.
• Alarmingly, half of children have accessed violent pornography by the age of 13, and 21% of 9–12-year-olds believe it is normal for children their age to share nude or semi-nude images online.

The documentary follows 26 Year 8 pupils at The Stanway School in Essex, who participated in a 21-day smartphone ban. The results were eye-opening:

• Better Sleep: Children gained an extra hour of sleep each night and fell asleep more easily, verified by wearable sleep trackers.
• Improved Mental Health: There was a 17% reduction in feelings of depression and an 18% reduction in feelings of anxiety. Their heart rate variability—a measure of well-being—also improved.
• Richer Relationships: While they didn’t feel less socially connected, children described deeper, more meaningful interactions with their parents and friends.

This experiment was backed by a University of York-led study, the most comprehensive research yet on the impact of smartphones on young people. The findings serve as a wake-up call, sparking conversations across the UK. 

At its core, Swiped invites all of us—parents and educators—to reflect on how we can better support our children in an increasingly connected world.

As we enter the Christmas break, children will have the opportunity to engage more with their devices for longer periods during the day.  We encourage you to watch the documentary and use it as a starting point for conversations within your family. To go further, resources like Smartphone Free Childhood and advice from Dr. Rangan Chatterjee offer practical tips for reducing phone dependency and fostering healthier habits.

By working together, we can ensure our children thrive—online and offline.