World-class speakers to address Guernsey parents on smartphone dangers as England makes phone-free schools law
- Community group representing 600 Guernsey families hosting free event on childhood smartphone use on 20 June at Les Beaucamps High School
- London headteacher David Smith, who banned smartphones at his school after 97% of pupils received 50+ daily notifications, will speak
- Event follows England making phone-free schools legally mandatory with Ofsted inspection compliance, whilst France and Australia introduce bans
- Data protection expert Emma Martins will explain how technology companies engineer addiction in children and outline harm-reduction strategies
- Organisers say gathering will bring together parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and States Deputies to shape island's response to issue
A community group representing nearly 600 Guernsey families is bringing two leading UK experts on childhood smartphone use to the island for a free public event, as governments worldwide introduce stricter controls on children's access to mobile technology.
Smartphone Free Childhood Guernsey will host the event on Saturday 20 June at Les Beaucamps High School, featuring David Smith, headteacher of Fulham Boys School in London, and Emma Martins, a data protection and ethics expert.
The event comes as England has made phone-free schools a legal requirement, with Ofsted now inspecting compliance at every school visit. France has banned smartphones in schools, whilst Australia has prohibited under-16s from accessing social media altogether.
Mr Smith was amongst the first state school headteachers in the UK to ban smartphones, requiring pupils to use basic brick phones instead.
His decision followed a school survey revealing that 97 per cent of pupils were receiving more than 50 notifications daily, whilst 38 per cent had completely unrestricted internet access on their phones. Some pupils had been exposed to violent and harmful content during school trips.
"Giving smartphones to young children is choosing to take away their childhood," Mr Smith said.
He described receiving his first ever round of applause from parents of younger pupils following the policy implementation, though older pupils initially complained.
Ms Martins will address the deliberate business models that technology companies employ to engage children with their platforms. She will explain how communities, families and schools can respond collectively, and outline practical harm-reduction approaches.
The event will cover practical questions including emergency contact procedures, journeys to and from school, managing parental concerns, accommodating children with medical needs, and timeframes for improvement.
Smartphone Free Childhood Guernsey has grown rapidly since its formation, now representing nearly 600 island families. The organisation campaigns for evidence-based smartphone policies in local schools.
Emma, co-founder of the group, said: "The rest of the world is no longer debating this. They are acting. We owe it to Guernsey's children to do the same. Come and hear from people who have already made the change, and let's decide together what happens next."
The event is expected to bring together parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, States Deputies and school leaders. Organisers say the gathering will influence future decisions affecting children on the island.
The link between smartphones, social media and deteriorating mental health amongst young people is now supported by substantial scientific evidence. Public health professionals increasingly describe the situation as a crisis affecting schools, homes and children's wellbeing.
Mr Smith will share detailed insights from his experience implementing the smartphone ban, including strategies for addressing resistance and the changes observed in his school following the policy's introduction.
Ms Martins will expose the sophisticated methods employed by technology corporations to create habitual use amongst children, arguing that the issue extends beyond individual willpower to encompass deliberate engineering of addictive features.
The free event begins at 10am on Saturday 20 June. Places are limited and advance booking is required through Eventbrite.
The organisers have urged interested members of the public to register promptly to secure attendance.
Smartphone Free Childhood Guernsey was founded by island parents concerned about the impact of smartphone and social media use on children's development and mental health. The group continues to expand as more families join the campaign for stricter controls on children's technology access in educational settings.
Q&A
Q: When and where is the Smartphone Free Childhood Guernsey event taking place?
A: The free event will be held on Saturday 20 June 2026 at 10am at Les Beaucamps High School. Places are limited and must be booked in advance through Eventbrite.
Q: What prompted David Smith to ban smartphones at Fulham Boys School?
A: A school survey revealed that 97% of pupils were receiving more than 50 notifications daily, 38% had completely unrestricted internet access on their phones, and some had been exposed to violent and harmful content during school trips.
Q: What actions have other countries taken regarding children's smartphone and social media use?
A: England has made phone-free schools a legal requirement with Ofsted compliance inspections, France has banned smartphones in schools, and Australia has prohibited under-16s from accessing social media altogether.
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