Ceredigion County Council Helps Nationwide Smartphone Free Childhood Motion

About the Initiative

The motion encourages dad and mom and carers to delay giving kids a smartphone till at the very least the age of 14, and to keep away from social media use till the age of 16. As a part of its dedication, Ceredigion County Council has shared steering with colleges and offered sensible assets designed to assist scale back display time and assist wholesome digital habits inside households.

This isn’t a authorized requirement or a coverage, it’s a community-led, voluntary motion centered on shared motion between households, colleges, and native communities. Nationally, the marketing campaign has already gained vital momentum, with over 151,000 households and 12,000 colleges signing the Parent Pact, in line with the nationwide web site.

Why It Matters?

A rising physique of analysis hyperlinks extreme smartphone use with:

• elevated anxiousness and despair
• sleep difficulties
• diminished focus
• diminished social interplay

By delaying smartphone use, kids usually tend to expertise higher psychological wellbeing, improved focus, and extra alternatives for face-to-face social engagement. The initiative additionally helps efforts to guard younger individuals from on-line dangers, together with cyberbullying and dangerous content material.

Ceredigion County Council started working with dad and mom and colleges through the summer time time period of 2025. Although the initiative continues to be in its early levels regionally, curiosity and assist proceed to develop, with rising numbers of households and colleges signing up every week.

Laurie Hughes, Senior Advisory Teacher for Wellbeing, mentioned: “We want to give children the best possible chance to thrive, free from the pressure of constant connectivity and potential harm. This initiative is about supporting a healthy, happy childhood for every child and young person in Ceredigion. Mobile phones and social media have been a hot topic for some time, and we are starting to see shifts in attitudes and culture locally, nationally, and globally.”

Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills mentioned: “This movement is firmly encouraging the young people of Ceredigion to enjoy a healthier and more balanced childhood. The evidence is clear that reducing early access to smartphones can support wellbeing, safety, and positive social relationships. We are proud to work with families and schools across the county to create an environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive without the unnecessary pressures of rapidly changing technology.”

To be part of the motion or signal the Parent Pact, go to: Sign the Parent Pact

19/01/2026