At St Peter’s, we are proud to be a smartphone-free school and are encouraging all families to join the growing movement to delay giving children smartphones for as long as possible. Research continues to highlight concerns about excessive screen time and smartphone use, including links to poorer sleep, reduced concentration, increased anxiety, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and less time spent on physical activity and face-to-face social interaction.

Recent UK government reviews have also identified concerns about the impact of social media and smartphone use on children’s wellbeing and mental health, while parliamentary research has highlighted the importance of helping children develop healthy digital habits from an early age. As a school, we believe childhood should be filled with conversation, play, creativity and real-world experiences. By working together as a community and delaying smartphone ownership, we can help children develop stronger relationships, healthier habits and the skills they need to flourish both online and offline. This approach reflects our commitment to safeguarding, wellbeing and helping every child live life in all its fullness. The school has previously committed to supporting the Smartphone-Free Childhood movement and promoting awareness of the risks associated with smartphones among primary-aged children.