Proposed Smartphone-Free Policy

Over the last couple of weeks I have delivered a presentation to Junior School parents and carers on the dangers to the health and wellbeing of young people posed by smartphones and social media, and recently written to both Junior School parents/carers and also current Year 7 parents/carers, to canvas views on a proposed a Smartphone-Free Policy for students in Year 8 2025 and below, that would apply on campus and at all school-related activities and events.

For those who not seen my previous correspondence about this issue, I include a section here to clarify the reason for this proposal:

There is now compelling evidence that smartphone and social media use is having a significantly detrimental impact on the wellbeing of young people and is leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as disrupted sleep patterns. Furthermore, studies have shown that a smartphone-free school environment can enhance students’ focus, reduce cyberbullying, and improve overall academic performance. Whilst this policy would not prevent social media use on laptops or via smart watches, I need to be clear that it is the nexus of smartphones and social media that is especially damaging, and which is, in my view, a public health issue. The business model of social media companies is to keep our attention as much as possible. Young people, whose brains are still developing, are especially vulnerable to this. They are forming their identity, looking for validation from peers, engaging in social comparison (often via highly manipulated photos) and looking for connection with others. Social media platforms actively use these drivers to attract and maintain the attention of younger users. If you are not familiar with the evidence for the damaging effects of this, I can recommend the work of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, especially his 2024 book ‘The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness’, and the freely available research that underpins it:  The Evidence – The Anxious Generation.

The survey of Junior School parents received over 70 responses, with 88% in favour of this policy for Year 7 2025. The context of Junior School students is significantly different to those in Year 7 and above, given that the majority of Year 6 students do not yet have smartphones, but the majority of Year 7 students do. The survey of current Year 7 parents/carers is currently underway; I encourage Year 7 parents/carers to complete this, if they have not done so already: Proposed Smartphone-Free Policy – Year 7 Parents  

If introduced, the policy would supplement our policy of ‘See it, Hear it – Lose it’ for Years 7-10, which operates on school days from 8.45am to 3.25pm. Students below Year 9 would be able to bring a ‘brick’ phone to all school activities and events (and comply with the existing ‘See it, Hear it- Lose it’ policy). In the coming weeks, we will also have more to say about how this will be tightened further.

I am conscious that there are a range of strongly held and legitimate views regarding smartphones. There will be families who believe that this is over-the-top or unnecessary, and others who believe that it does not go far enough. What is certain is that there will not be universal agreement! Also to be considered is the challenge for staff of enforcing such a policy, as well as the question of laptops and smartwatches, through which students can access social media. On this matter, I return to the research (see Haidt’s work, above) which clearly indicates that it is social media access via smartphones which is especially damaging to the mental health of young people.

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (as well as National Child Safe Standard 2) state that children should have their views considered when decisions are made that affect them, and we are in the process of canvassing their views at the moment.

The presentation I delivered to Junior School families is available on the College website, and will use this page to provide additional resources and reading for families on this issue: Smartphones and Social Media – Oxley College

Yours sincerely

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head of College