Kent Schools Adopt Smartphone Ban

Thousands of parents across Kent are taking steps to reduce smartphone and social media use among their children. Six primary schools and over 5,000 parents or caregivers have joined the national initiative Parent Pact, run by charity Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC).

The pact encourages families to:

• Delay smartphone use until Year 9 (around age 13–14)
• Delay access to social media until two years later

SFC regional leader Felicity Winkles said the movement is “gathering extraordinary momentum,” adding that each new pact strengthens the community and makes it easier for other families to say no to early smartphone use.

Schools already signed up include: Sevenoaks School, Amherst Primary School, St James Primary School, John Wallis Academy, Cheriton Primary School, and Hextable Primary School.

Experiments Show the Benefits of Disconnecting

Kent schools are realising the benefits that other schools across the country have seen since going phone-free, with the results undeniably. For schools who incorporate technology into lessons, an outright ban may not be viable however, which is where lockable pouches have grown in popularity.

Early results show the positive impact of stepping back from smartphones. Year 10 pupils at The Canterbury Academy took part in a University of Kent study, using old-style mobile phones (without apps or social media) for a week. Students reported:

• Feeling “freedom” and relief from constant notifications
• Being more present in the moment and less distracted
• Improved sleep by avoiding late-night scrolling

Parents also noticed changes. Molly’s mother said, “I feel like I’ve got my daughter back,” while Kieran’s mum noted how the experiment helped teens reflect on how much their lives revolve around phones.

Psychology lecturer Dr Lindsey Cameron highlighted that students were learning to reflect on their behaviour themselves, rather than just being told to switch off. More schools in Kent are expected to join the experiment in September.