Dorset campaigners call on parents to ‘start a pact’ and delay smartphones until age 14
Bournemouth’s Smartphone Free Childhood group has warned parents excessive screentime for children can lead to unhealthy habits
Campaigners in Dorset are urging parents to join forces and delay giving their children smartphones until they turn 14, in a growing movement to tackle the rising mental health and social pressures linked to early phone and social media use.
The initiative, led by Smartphone Free Childhood Dorset, encourages families to “start a pact” and support each other in saying no to smartphones for younger children.
Organisers say the aim is to protect children while offering practical guidance for families already navigating the digital world.
At a recent event, speakers including health professionals, educators and tech experts shared research and real-world insights into how smartphones are shaping children’s lives.
Attendees heard that three-quarters of young people spend most of their free time on screens.
More than half of those who attended believe social media should be banned for under-16s.
David Sidwick, Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, warned that unrestricted online access exposes children to “serious risks,” including grooming, coercion and exposure to harmful material.
Dr Helen Thomas, a local GP, compared screen addiction to gambling or substance dependency, linking it to sleep disruption, headaches and rising levels of anxiety and depression in children.
Tech professional Andrew Wilmot shed light on the industry’s “addictive design,” explaining how gaming and social media platforms are engineered to maximise time spent by young users.
The campaign also offered practical solutions, from banning phones at the dinner table and in bedrooms to leaving devices at home during family outings.
“Parents, teachers, and professionals are all seeing the effects of smartphones on children,” said Lisa Ratnam from Smartphone Free Childhood Dorset. “This event was about sharing evidence, listening to lived experiences, and starting a positive conversation about what we can do differently.”