In Solihull, 50 schools urge parents to delay smartphone purchases for kids
Solihull: A group of schools in West Midlands is asking parents to hold off on buying smartphones for their kids. They believe this will help improve mental health and focus in students. Fifty schools, from infant to secondary, sent a letter to parents about this initiative.
Some schools, like Alderbrook, are already phone-free. Others have a voluntary phone hand-in scheme. At Alderbrook, students can lock up their phones during school hours. The headteachers of Alderbrook and Tudor Grange Academy shared their thoughts on this approach.
Tom Beveridge, headteacher at Alderbrook, said they want to reduce distractions. He noted that many schools are now phone-free. Claire Smith, headteacher at Tudor Grange, agreed that phones can be a safety issue for kids.
According to Ofcom, 97% of kids have their own phone by age 12. In 2023, Unesco recommended banning phones in schools due to their negative impact on learning and well-being. Both headteachers are not judging parents but encouraging them to wait before buying phones.
At Alderbrook, a voluntary phone hand-in scheme for Year 7 students has been introduced. Initially, only ten students handed in their phones, but that number grew to 140 last week. Next year, it will be mandatory for new Year 7 students.
Policies vary by school. At Tudor Grange, no phones are allowed on campus. Students who need a phone for travel must hand it in at school. If a student is caught with a phone, there are consequences.
Tom explained that phones should stay out of sight. If a student repeatedly has their phone out, their parents will be contacted. Both schools have around 1,700 students, and sixth formers can use phones in designated areas.
Tom expressed concern about how much time kids spend on screens. A workshop revealed that Year 8 students spend one to five hours on their phones daily and feel anxious when separated from them.
Recently, the schools held a community event where experts discussed the benefits of delaying smartphone purchases. One parent thanked Alderbrook for raising awareness about smartphone dangers.
Another parent shared that the event inspired them to connect with other parents. Claire noted that they are not doing anything new, just discussing the issue more. Tom hopes this collective effort will lead to fewer young kids getting phones.
