Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has revealed results from a national survey on mobile phone use in schools. Findings reveal that universal educational adoption of school-day mobile device bans has reached near universal levels. The nationwide survey of more than 15,000 schools uncovered some alarming figures. Of those, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools with restrictions, only about half have an outright ban. This initiative is part of de Souza’s effort to tackle growing concerns about children’s mental health, attention spans, and online safety.
The survey results come at a time when many parents and educators are increasingly worried about the impact of excessive screen time on young people’s well-being. De Souza’s research reveals an important trend in school discipline policies to promote more supportive, healthier climates for students. By limiting access to smartphones during the school day, educators hope to foster better focus and engagement in learning activities.
Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr, assistant professor at University College London, is a world-renowned expert on digital literacy. She has become a leading voice for a more balanced approach to screen time in the wake of these results. Her recent book, subtitled “Why We’re All Addicted to Screens and What You Can Do About It,” addresses the pervasive nature of digital addiction and offers guidance for parents and educators alike. Regehr stresses the need to teach our children how to engage with the digital world responsibly and actively.
“When I was concerned about my family’s digital diet … I struggled to know what guidance to use,” – Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr
Also an entrepreneur, Regehr calls herself a “digital nutritionist,” having created strategies and curriculum for families to start making healthier choices when it comes to their screen time. She suggests techniques such as greyscaling—switching off colors on devices—to diminish the allure of vibrant images and reduce the time spent online. She’s a vigorous advocate of what she calls “algorithmic resistance.” This new model is about reducing the algorithmic content bubbles that shape what users see, allowing people to have more control over the media they consume.
“Turning your phone to greyscale is one of the quickest and easiest ways of understanding the impact of colour and images on our user experience,” – Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr
The rollout of new educational resources to be released later this month is intended to broaden efforts against screen addiction in schools. These resources will empower students to understand how technology shapes their lives. It prepares them to be responsible stewards of their screen time.
Regehr’s commitment to promoting awareness of digital health implementation and its impacts isn’t limited to her written work. She is a robust advocate for initiatives like Smartphone Free Childhood. She believes it is crucial for parents and educators to prepare children for the realities of growing up in a technologically saturated society.
“Because even if you hold off giving a kid a smartphone until after they are 15, they will turn 16. And we have a responsibility to give them the tools they need to navigate this space effectively,” – Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr
As schools implement these policies, the collective effort of educators, parents, and experts like Regehr seeks to create a healthier digital environment for children. The aim is more than just limiting access. Our goal is to equip youth with a healthy, nuanced perspective to help them navigate their relationship with technology.