Primary school teachers from Bushey and Radlett have written a letter asking parents to avoid buying their children smartphones.
The headteachers from Bushey Primary Education Federation (BPEF), Ashfield Junior School, Merry Hill Infant School, Hartsbourne Primary School, Bournehall Primary School, Little Reddings Primary School, Bushey Heath Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary School in Bushey joined up with headteachers from several Radlett primary schools to write a letter imploring parents not to buy their children smartphones. The letter was sent to parents on Friday, June 21.
Speaking to BUSHEYnews, Mary Ann Cooper, BPEF headteacher, said that teachers often hear from parents about the pressure they are under to purchase smartphones. Parents fear their children will miss out on online social chats should they not have access to the same technology as their peers.
This united approach from local schools is designed to support parents in resisting this pressure, as well as point out the wider dangers that exist for children in having access to smartphones at a young age.
Ms Cooper said: “I myself regret buying my son a phone in Year 6, but it’s difficult to resist the pressure.
“There are issues with bullying and exclusionary behaviour. Children are still learning appropriate social behaviour at that age, and they can’t see the hurt they’re visiting upon their friends because they can’t see them in person.
“Often if they see something troubling online, there are codes about keeping quiet, so they don’t go to their parents and then put themselves in harm’s way.”
Ms Cooper says that the consortium wants to “open up discussion” on the issue.
For more information about the smartphone-free movement, visit www.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk or www.delaysmartphones.org.uk/about
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