How Smartphones Are Shaping Children’s Wellbeing and Education: Insights for Safer Internet Day 2025
Key Takeaways:
- 1 in 4 children now use smartphones in an addictive or compulsive way (Channel 4, 2024).
- The debate around smartphone-free schools is growing in the UK and worldwide.
- Banning phones in schools alone may not improve wellbeing or academic performance; wider digital habits matter more.
- Digital literacy education is inconsistent, with over 1 in 5 UK children lacking confidence to stay safe online (Ofcom, 2024).
- Safer Internet Day 2025 is a vital opportunity to promote healthy digital habits and online safety in schools and homes.
With Safer Internet Day 2025 on 11th February, 1decision Education and Partnerships Adviser Sophie Hearn explores the complex impact of smartphones on children’s wellbeing and education, the growing movement for smartphone-free schools, and what steps we can all take for a healthier digital future.
From Simplicity to Screen Addiction: How Childhood Has Changed
Within minutes of searching for my first mobile - a Nokia 3410 - I found it listed as a “vintage phone” on eBay! I was only nine when I got that phone, used mainly for checking in with family during short walks home from school. It couldn’t do much beyond basic calls, text messages, and the odd game of Snake. In hindsight, its simplicity was liberating.
Fast forward two decades and smartphones have exposed children to an entirely new world. Today’s devices reshape minds, relationships, and classroom dynamics. According to Dr Rangan Chatterjee in Channel 4’s Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, around one in four children now use smartphones compulsively. Shockingly, some 12-year-olds report two to eight hours of daily screen time, often on a single app like TikTok. This represents a seismic shift in how young people focus their attention and experience life, both in and out of school.
Real-Life Impact: Lessons from a Smartphone-Free School Experiment
The documentary follows Year 8 pupils at an Essex school who handed in their smartphones for 21 days. Even presenters Emma and Matt Willis joined in, tracking changes in sleep, attention, mood, and stress with the help of the University of York. For some children, the experience felt like “locking [their] life away,” highlighting just how deeply embedded digital life has become. There is so much more to life that we must help children see and value beyond the screen.
The Case for Smartphone-Free Schools: Global and Local Perspectives
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, tech worker, or simply care about the next generation, safeguarding children’s wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. Calls for smartphone-free schools are growing in the UK, echoing steps already taken in countries like France, where phones are banned for under-15s. Advocates argue smartphones in school increase distractions, fuel social pressures, and blur the boundaries between real life and digital.
However, recent University of Birmingham research found that banning smartphones in schools alone does not significantly improve pupils’ academic performance or wellbeing. Instead, pupils’ overall smartphone and social media use outside school has a far bigger impact on their mental health and behaviour. The evidence is clear: simple bans aren’t enough. We need to take a wider view.
Digital Literacy in Schools: Why Gaps Persist
In most schools, digital literacy is spread thinly across PSHE, RSHE, computing, and citizenship lessons, as well as assemblies and guest speakers. This fragmented approach means many important topics are missed or inconsistently taught. According to a May 2024 UK Parliament report, the Department for Education admitted there’s no strong evidence yet that current digital safety education is effective. In fact, 21% of children aged 9–16 aren’t confident about staying safe online.
There’s a pressing need to make digital literacy and life skills a central part of the curriculum, as highlighted by the Lessons4Life campaign. The goal? Better curriculum time, earlier intervention, and long-term benefits for children and wider society.
Legislation and Leadership: The UK's Next Steps for Digital Safety
Positive changes are underway. The Online Safety Act now requires tech companies to take stronger action to protect children online. Ofcom has set new priorities and launched studies on how social media affects young users. These efforts - alongside support from parents and educators - are all crucial for building a safer, healthier digital world for the next generation.
Balancing Technology and Childhood: Values Over Rules
The big question isn’t just about policies or bans, but about our shared values. Technology brings undeniable benefits - connection, creativity, and learning - but also risks. The conversation about smartphones and their place in children’s lives is far from over. The goal isn’t to ban technology, but to guide its use, so children’s curiosity and freedom to explore life beyond the screen are protected.
FAQs: What Can Parents and Teachers Do?
- How can I help my child develop healthy digital habits?
Set clear device boundaries, model positive smartphone use, encourage tech-free family time, and talk openly about online risks and values. - Is banning smartphones at school the answer?
It may help with focus, but evidence suggests wider digital habits matter more. Teaching digital literacy and resilience is key. - What resources can schools use?
Start with the free 1decision KS1 Image Sharing Taster Pack to open up conversations about safe, responsible online behaviour.
Conclusion: Working Together for a Healthier Digital Future
As we celebrate Safer Internet Day 2025, let’s remember that creating a safe, empowering digital world for children is a collective task. Whether by supporting smartphone-free schools, helping families set boundaries, or urging tech companies to do better, we all have a part to play. By equipping children with strong digital literacy, fostering open discussion, and providing effective resources, we give them the power to make smart choices online—today and for life.
Want to support digital safety in your school community? Access our complimentary KS1 Image Sharing topic in the 1decision Taster Pack and help children develop safer, smarter digital habits.
Here is our worksheet teaching online safety? Download Staying Safe Online Worksheet or explore our Top PSHE Resources for 2025.
