UK Parents Rally Behind Smartphone Ban for Under-14s

The Smartphone Free Childhood movement gains traction as thousands of parents pledge to delay smartphone access for children amid mental health concerns.

• Over 37,000 parents across the UK have signed the Smartphone Free Childhood pledge, representing more than 56,000 children.
• The initiative aims to delay smartphone usage until children are at least 14, addressing concerns about mental health and social development.
• Studies highlight a link between excessive smartphone use and rising rates of depression, anxiety, and attention fragmentation among teenagers.
• The movement has garnered support from a quarter of British schools, with some cities like St Albans aiming to become smartphone-free for under-14s.
• Parents express the need for collective action to reduce peer pressure and create a cultural shift towards healthier childhood development.

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