Rewind to May 2024; Jonathan Haidt’s now seminal book, ‘The Anxious Generation’, had just been released and the research emerging from schools and universities was backing up much of what our instincts were telling us.
A year on, data continues to support our concerns, and documentaries such as Channel 4’s ‘Swiped’ have provided a fascinating insight into the effects of life with, and without, smartphones. Even with our smaller scale data sets here at Cumnor, we undoubtedly see the impact on a child’s concentration after long breaks in year groups where smartphones are more prevalent.
Haidt cites four key responses: giving children more time to play with other children; encouraging unstructured, screen-free play; creating opportunities for children to build real-world community; and delaying the introduction of smartphones and social media. The first three elements are also supported by research garnered by the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, who cite that ‘for the first time in human history, children are spending more time on devices than they are playing – an activity crucial to our healthy development.’
So, what is our role to play as a school?
We continue to invest in and protect play. The redevelopment of Grace’s Garden into a multi-sensory haven with plenty of opportunity for outdoor learning is one such step. And from September, we will be increasing access to outdoor learning and play for all of our year groups, not just the youngest. We are revitalising our boarding provision, giving Year 7 and 8 the dedicated space they need to reconnect with those around them away from devices, and to try things outside of their comfort zone; something they themselves value greatly. We see building these habits as key.
And we highly value our partnership with parents as we endeavour to make our community genuinely smartphone free. It has been a joy to work with a committed and creative group of parents to help promote the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, and I am proud that of 229 schools in West Sussex, we are 4th on the list of most signatures to the parent pacts.
This has been a great example of parent school collaboration for the greater good. The connections, the networks, the professional expertise, and the insightful thinking that parents can bring to a school prompt a sustained and meaningful program of events and engagement, so that our wider community can be informed and supported in this crucial issue.
In February 2024, we felt something brewing with regards to delaying smartphones and could only imagine where the conversation would take us with Cumnor only a year later.
Cumnor parents leading the campaign
We are so conscious in all of this, just how busy parents are, especially under the increasing strain of VAT and other economic pressures. However, there is nothing more precious than our children, and this issue is live and key.
If you have any comments, questions or ideas, then please do reach out. Whether something’s working for you, or not; whether you’re totally overwhelmed or, quite frankly, wonder what we’re all so worried about, we are all navigating this together.
