THE Government has confirmed it will introduce new restrictions on children’s access to smartphones in schools and on social media, marking a significant shift following sustained campaigning by parents, teachers and MPs.
The changes come after growing concern about the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s wellbeing, learning and behaviour. Among those raising the issue in Parliament has been the Conservative MP for Farnham and Bordon, Gregory Stafford.
Welcoming the announcement, Gregory said:
“This is a significant step forward. Parents and teachers have been raising serious concerns for some time, and it is right that the Government has responded. The focus now must be on ensuring these measures are clear, workable and properly enforced so they deliver real change for families.”
The national move follows a landmark intervention in Surrey, where all 58 state secondary school headteachers wrote to parents urging them to delay giving children smartphones for “as long as possible”, recommending a minimum age of 14. They cited strong evidence linking smartphone use to poorer wellbeing, disrupted sleep, and challenges in learning and relationships.
Nearly 11,000 Surrey parents have also signed the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact, committing to delay smartphones until at least age 14 and social media until 16.
Attention is now turning to how the new rules will be implemented in practice. Campaigners have raised concerns about “not seen, not heard” approaches, where phones are allowed on school premises but expected to remain out of sight, arguing these policies can be difficult to enforce and may undermine safeguarding.
Gregory added:
“I have consistently raised concerns about enforcement. Schools need clarity, and parents need confidence that restrictions will be applied consistently. Stronger direction is welcome, but it must translate into real-world practice.”
In response to pressure from Conservative MPs, Ministers have clarified their position, stating that there should be no access to phones at any point during the school day, while leaving enforcement to headteachers.
However, challenges remain, particularly in less supervised settings such as toilets, transport and outside the classroom.
Roz Maree, a Farnham-based volunteer with Smartphone Free Childhood, said:
“There is a sense this issue has been solved, but the reality is more complex. Even well-intentioned policies can be hard to enforce consistently, especially beyond the classroom. That is why many parents are choosing a simpler approach: delaying smartphones altogether and opting for basic phones instead.”
For families concerned about safety and communication, campaigners point to basic phones, which allow calls and texts but avoid the risks associated with smartphones, as a practical alternative.
Alongside this, education and awareness work continues to expand across Surrey. In partnership with Smartphone Free Childhood, the charity Papaya (Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adults) is delivering workshops for primary pupils and hosting sessions for parents.
The growing alignment between parents, schools and policymakers marks a pivotal moment in the national conversation on childhood and technology, with Surrey at the forefront of a movement now shaping national policy.
