What is Smartphone Free Childhood?

This is a national movement aimed at tackling the huge problem that smartphones are creating for our children. The aim is to change the current culture of “everybody has a phone so my child needs one”, thereby protecting them from the serious challenges and safeguarding issues that smartphones present.

As of June 2025, 140,810 pupils are protected by the Pact, and this is across 13,685 schools in the UK, Wow! Can you add to that number? Sign the Pact here.

Sign the Parent Pact

Where do schools fit in?

We know the peer pressure around buying your child a smartphone. Schools want to help parents and children by (a) helping to spread the word about Smartphone Free Childhood, and (b) changing school rules to make it easier to resist the peer pressure of buying your child a phone.

What are the new rules?

School rules are changing. From September 2025, only Year 6 pupils can bring a smartphone to school, and hand them into the class teacher on arrival. From September 2026, no pupils can bring a smartphone in to school. What’s the alternative for Years 5&6 pupils? Only brick phones are allowed. We hope this supports you in keeping your child safe and enjoying childhood.

Where can I buy a brick phone?

Brick phones are phones that are not internet enabled. They still allow calls and texts. They are cheap to buy, too (Amazon, Argos). No data needed for your SIM card. ASDA mobile sell these, for example.

Find out more here

Resources for Schools

Visit http://smartphonefreebasingstoke.org/ to find resources for schools