St Mark's C of E Junior School is working in partnership with other local primary and secondary schools, as well as our parent communities, to encourage the delayed use of smartphones.  We are committed to 'Smartphone Free at KS1, 2 and 3' to help us achieve our goal.

Why This Matters

In recent years, we have seen a significant shift in childhood experiences. Children as young as 8 are
now regularly using their own smartphones, often with unrestricted access to the internet and social
media. While technology has its place, it is becoming increasingly clear that the early and
unsupervised use of smart devices is causing:

• Rising levels of anxiety, sleep disruption, and reduced attention spans
• Exposure to inappropriate content and online risks
• A decline in face-to-face social interaction and imaginative play
• Increased pressure to grow up too quickly
• Child brain chemistry altered to the point of appearing similar to ADHD/ASD and children being wrongly referred for assessment
• Higher rates of self-harm and suicide in children, contributing to suicide being the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK today

As educators and caregivers, we are managing an unprecedented level of safeguarding and behaviour issues linked to the use of smart devices outside of school and believe that childhood should be protected, playful, and developmentally appropriate. We want to give our children the space to grow, explore, and connect with the world around them without the pressures and distractions of the digital world too soon.

September 2025 - The Smartphone Free at KS1, 2 & 3 Event

On the 23rd September 2025, Bournside School hosted an event for parents, carers and education professionals to hear from guest speakers from PAPAYA, Smartphone Free Childhood and the University of the West of England.  The event was a fantastic opportunity for school communities to come together, share ideas and engage in meaningful discussion. The full presentation, which includes some powerful and thought-provoking statistics, can be viewed here.

September 2025 - A United Response

At the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, 15 local primary schools came together to share a united letter promoting a play-based childhood over a technology-based childhood. You can read the letter here.