Over the past year, the conversation about children, smartphones and wellbeing has moved from kitchen tables and WhatsApp groups into national headlines — and right here in Histon and Impington, our community has been part of that shift. Local campaigner Laura Clifton takes up the story.
When we first invited local families to join the kids’ smartphone revolution back in spring 2024, many were surprised by just how widespread the concerns were about early smartphone use and the impact of social media on young minds.
What started as a small local discussion has since connected with a growing national movement — and inspired real change, both locally and in schools across the country.
Taking root
The Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) campaign has gathered momentum at a remarkable pace both nationally and locally. Thousands of families across the UK have now signed up to the Parent Pact, a simple but powerful commitment to delay smartphones and social media until later in childhood, helping parents feel less isolated when making these decisions together.
At the same time, there has been a noticeable shift in the Government’s mindset. Recent guidance now encourages schools to ban or tightly restrict smartphone use during the school day, and Ofsted inspectors are being asked to look more closely at how schools are managing mobile phone policies. There is also renewed national debate about children’s access to smartphones and social media — a sign that concerns long raised by parents and educators are finally being taken seriously.
Many secondary and primary schools are already seeing the benefits of firmer boundaries: calmer corridors, better focus in lessons, and more real-world interaction at break times.
A strong turnout
The national conversation came right into our villages recently, with a second local event – this time hosted at Histon & Impington Brook Primary School. Open to anyone in the community, the evening brought together over 50 parents, carers and residents — a powerful show of shared interest and concern.
We heard from Amy Ruffell, local Smartphone Free Childhood Regional Lead, who spoke about the growing network of families supporting one another across the region; Chris Gee, Assistant Principal at Impington Village College, who shared honest, practical reflections from a secondary school perspective; and the headteachers of both village primary schools, who spoke about how schools are navigating digital policy while keeping children’s wellbeing central.
One message from Chris Gee resonated particularly strongly with many parents in the room:
“Keep it as simple and as locked down as possible… for as long as possible. The conflict you risk is much less bad than the impact on a child having a supercomputer in their pocket”.
Why community matters
Smartphones aren’t just phones — they’re gateways to social media, constant notifications and adult-sized pressures that children aren’t equipped to navigate. While every family’s situation is different, many parents are discovering that shared norms and open conversations make decisions easier, not harder.
What stood out again this week was how reassuring it is to hear that others are thinking the same things — and that no one has to figure this out alone.
As Amy shared during the evening, “This isn’t about being anti-technology — it’s about giving our children time.”
By continuing to talk, listen and support one another, Histon and Impington can play a small but meaningful part in shaping a healthier digital future for our children — one that puts childhood first.
What’s next?
Our local Smartphone Free Childhood group hopes to continue to collaborate with all the schools in the village to continue to facilitate the dialogue among local parents and also has plans for some Spring stalls at the schools to raise awareness.
It would also be great to arrange for some older teenagers to visit the younger children and chat with them about smartphones and social media, and the realities of it from their perspective. We’re hoping to make this happen, so watch this space!
How to get involved:
If you would like to be part of the conversation, here are some simple next steps:
- Watch the Smartphone Free Childhood explainer video that captures the essence of the issue: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/resource/the-smartphone-dilemma
- Sign the Parent Pact: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/parent-pact
- Join the local community network: www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/find-your-community
READ ALSO: Let’s talk! Come join the kids’ smartphone revolution | HI HUB
