Let’s Talk: Children & Smartphones

Event details

Welcome to Buckinghamshire Smartphone Free Childhood’s hybrid event ‘Let’s Talk: Children & Smartphones’, convened by Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith. Join us in person or online for an evening of short talks from a panel of speakers (have a look at our amazing line-up below!). The talks will be followed by open discussion / Q&A session from the audience on the impact of smartphones on children.

Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) is a grassroots movement run by parents, for parents, which empowers parents to delay giving their child a smartphone. SFC parents living in Buckinghamshire have organised this event for local parents and teachers to hear about the impact of smartphones on children and to discuss potential solutions. In the absence of government action to regulate tech companies or provide clear instruction to schools, how can we, as parents, collectively act to protect our children from the potential harms of unrestricted access to social media and the online world?

Attendance options

The event is hybrid but we strongly encourage you to come in person!

In-person attendees can:

· Chat with Aylesbury MP Laura Kyrke-Smith and local school leaders

· Share views and experiences with other parents

· Questions from those in the room will be prioritised

If you're joining online you'll be sent a link before the event.

Parking

If you’re coming by car, there is extremely limited parking at Aylesbury High School (map) but more at the nearby Tesco (2 hours free; 10 minute’s walk away at Tring Rd, Aylesbury HP20 1PQ).

Background

Smartphones weren't designed with kids in mind – but they’ve reshaped childhood almost overnight. In the UK, 89% of 12-year-olds now own one, and so do a quarter of children aged 5 to 7. On average, kids get their first smartphone aged nine.Instead of growing up slowly, children are being pulled into a digital world built to keep them hooked. The impact on their development, mental health and relationships runs deep – and we can’t afford to look away any longer.

The debate about children’s access to smartphones and social media is very much one about social justice and social mobility: whilst in previous decades it was those from lower income families who lacked access to technology and this was a barrier to education, this has now reversed such that only the most privileged families are restricting their children’s use of smartphones and social media (compare for example how many private schools such as Eton have banned smartphones compared with state schools), whereas those lower income families who are working long hours and lack support simply do not have the time to monitor what their children access online. Many school leaders have spoken publicly recently about the negative impact that excessive smartphone and social media use has on children’s education as well as their social skills and mental health.

Various actors, musicians and public figures have also spoken out recently about this cause, from Paloma Faith, Kate Winslet, Robbie Williams to Hugh Grant! But this event is for those from our local community to discuss and share ideas.