Parents in Guernsey are urging the island’s government to implement a law that would prevent children from owning smartphones until they turn 14 – after it emerged that mobile phones in schools for students up to age 16 will be banned in Jersey from September.

The call is part of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, a global movement of parents concerned about the negative effects smartphones and social media have on children’s development and mental health.

Last weekend, the Guernsey branch of the campaign hosted consultant paediatrician Dr Sanjiv Nichani, who spoke about the dangers of what he describes as a “screen-demic”.

The event came after survey data from the Guernsey group found that 76% of parents reported feeling concerned about their children’s smartphone use – while 93% wanted more support from schools and the States of Guernsey.

The Smartphone Free Childhood group – which is also gaining traction in Jersey – works to raise awareness of the harms of early smartphone and social media use.

Pictured: Education Minister Rob Ward announced last month that students at Government schools and colleges will not be allowed to use their phones at any time during the school day – including break and lunch times – from September.

This includes increased anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content such as pornography and violence, addiction, and negative effects on social skills and attention spans.

The group also advocates for co-ordinated efforts among parents, educators, governments, and tech companies to reduce these risks and create policies that protect children online.

It also encourages parents to create local “pacts” or groups, often using WhatsApp, to collectively decide to delay giving their child a phone until they turn 14 in a bid to reduce the peer pressure that makes it difficult for individual parents to hold out.

Pictured: Hundreds of Channel Island parents have signed a collective pact to delay giving their children smartphones until a certain age.

Among the schools with the most signatories in Jersey are St Michael’s Preparatory School (75 parents), Mont Nicolle School (32 parents), and St Mary’s School (28 parents).

On Wednesday, a panel discussion will take place at the St Helier Town Hall from 19:00 to 21:00, where experts and community figures will discuss how Jersey can tackle online harms.

The event will feature former Data Protection Commissioner for the Channel Islands Emma Martins, Victoria College Deputy Head Patrick Crossley, and Dr Chris Edmond.

The event follows a recent visit by gender equality campaigner and best-selling author Laura Bates, who last week called on Jersey’s government to go further than the UK’s Online Safety Act.