The debate has been given fresh momentum by the government’s Growing Up in the Online World consultation updated last month, one of the largest on children’s online safety ever in the UK.
More than 116,000 parents, children, teachers and experts took part, with nine in 10 parents supporting restrictions on social media for under-16s and two-thirds of young people backing limits on at least some platforms.
The findings reflect a generation growing up almost permanently connected. Government and Ofcom figures in the consultation show 96 per cent of 13 to 17-year-olds use social media, while 81 per cent of 10 to 12-year-olds use at least one platform despite most having a minimum age of 13.
Smartphone ownership is now near universal among teenagers, with 97 per cent of 13 to 15-year-olds having a mobile phone.
Smartphones – Government and Ofcom data cited in the consultation shows 96 per cent of 13 to 17-year-olds use social media (Image: Web)
Supporters argue social media helps young people stay connected and access support, but schools and health experts continue to raise concerns about its impact on sleep, concentration, anxiety and mental wellbeing.
One school which has been at the centre of the national conversation is the Stanway School in Colchester, which featured in Channel 4’s 2024 documentary SWIPED: The School That Banned Smartphones.
The programme followed Year 8 pupils who handed over their phones for several weeks while researchers from York University monitored changes in sleep, anxiety and memory. The study found measurable improvements, including better sleep, lower anxiety levels and stronger short-term memory after time away from smartphones.
John Player, headteacher at the Stanway School, said: “Our experience participating in SWIPED reaffirmed what we see daily – that reducing smartphone and social media use has a remarkably positive impact on young people’s focus, sleep and overall mental wellbeing.
“The experiment showed that removing smartphone usage for just 30 days had a tangible effect in reducing issues associated with depression and mental health by 17 per cent.”
Experiment – Stanway School headteacher John Player (Image: The Stanway School)
He said the school’s clear policies limit phone distractions and help create a safe environment where students can fully engage in their learning and build genuine face-to-face connections.
“Supporting our young people requires a joint effort between schools and families to encourage healthier digital habits and help them to navigate the modern world with confidence and resilience,” said Mr Player.
Many schools have adopted stricter phone policies in recent years. At Notley High School in Braintree, students have to switch off their phones and place them in secure storage units in tutor rooms for the whole school day.
Pupils are not allowed to carry phones on them during lessons or breaktimes, and the school says devices found after tutor time can be confiscated, with spot-checks carried out to enforce the policy. Staff may also use handheld scanners as part of those checks.
One parent whose son attends Notley High School believes such measures can be effective.
Rules – Notley High School in Braintree has also tightened its rules on mobile phones at school (Image: Google)
They said: “I actually think the school’s policy works. The students have their phones removed in the morning and issued back to them at the end of the day.
“In the beginning, I was very unsure and not keen on the idea, but they can still take phones to get to school and home safely which is the most important thing, and I think a lot of the parents would agree with me.”
The online world presents challenges beyond screen time alone. Research shows children are increasingly growing up in a culture where being photographed, filmed and posted online is seen as normal.
Research from the Child Influencer Project, a study examining children’s involvement in social media, family content creation and influencer culture, has highlighted concerns around privacy, consent and the long-term impact of growing up online.
Researchers found many children are appearing in photos, videos and social media posts from a very young age, often creating a permanent digital footprint before they are old enough to understand or control it.
The project has also raised questions about children’s ability to meaningfully consent to being featured online, as well as the pressures created by a culture that increasingly rewards visibility, popularity and online engagement.
Investigator – Dr Francis Rees, leading the Child Influencer Project, said appearing online has become very normal for children (Image: Essex University)
Dr Francis Rees, principal investigator for the Child Influencer Project, said: “One of the biggest changes is that appearing online has become very normal for children. They are not only using social media themselves, but are also being photographed, filmed, posted about, and sometimes shared from a very young age.
“We need to help children consider simple but important questions before sharing images online: is this fair, who might see it, could it embarrass someone, and does that person really feel able to say no?
“The fact that many young people now see influencing as something to aspire to adds another complicating layer, because being visible online can indicate acceptance, fame and success.”
The government’s consultation, the experiences of schools and the concerns of parents all point to the same reality – that smartphones and social media are now unequivocally woven deeply into childhood.
