Smartphone Free Childhood
Smartphone Policy: Working Together to Support Pupils’ Wellbeing
At Bredon Hill Academy, we are committed to creating an environment that prioritises pupils’ safety, mental health, and academic success. Recent trends in smartphone use among young people have raised serious concerns, and we want to share the steps we’re taking to address this.
Why We’re Concerned
- Smartphone ownership has become a ‘rite of passage’ for some of our pupils, but evidence to suggest smartphones are safe for children is lacking.
- Harmful online content and anonymity put children at risk.
- Social media algorithms are designed to cause addiction, reducing face-to-face interaction, outdoor play, and traditional childhood experiences.
- We see the impact of this in school: rising anxiety, mental health challenges and reduced concentration affecting learning.
Our Current Policy
- Bredon Hill Academy is a mobile phone free school.
- Pupils who bring a phone into school must keep it switched off and in their bag at all times.
- From September 2025, smartwatches, with bluetooth capability will not be allowed in school.
Looking Ahead
- We encourage families to delay giving children smartphones. Many parents worry about their child missing out, but if we act collectively, the pressure reduces.
- For safety during travel, consider a basic ‘brick’ phone instead of a smartphone.