The online campaign, which has forced parents to ban their children from owning smartphones until they are at least 14, has earned 100,000 signatures in the six months since its launch.
The free smartphone childhood campaign launched a “parent agreement” in September. The campaign promised to withhold children's phones until the end of their ninth year at least, and sign off on social media until the age of 16.
Daisy Greenwell, a childhood co-founder without a smartphone, said parents were put in a “impossible position” by the weak regulations of major tech companies, leaving them with the option of “known to be harmful” to their children or leaving them isolated among their peers.
“The overwhelming response to the parental agreement shows the number of families gathered to say “no” to the idea that a child's life must be mediated by Big Tech's addictive algorithm,” she said.
The agreement's biggest local support is in Surrey, with 6,370 signatories followed by Hertfordshire. There, the city of St. Albans is about to use the UK's first smartphone for all under the age of 14.
Over 11,500 schools have been signed, accounting for more than a third of the UK's total 32,000.
Celebrity signers include singer Paloma Faith, actor Benedict Cumberbatch and broadcaster Emma Burnett.
According to a survey by Media Regulator, 89% of 12-year-olds own smartphones, with one-quarter of 3 and 4-year-olds and half of children under the age of 13 on social media.
Supporters who are not allowed to use mobile phones They claim that smartphones distract children from their studies, expose them to harmful online content and promote addictive behavior.
Last week, after opposition from ministers, Labour MP Josh McAllister revised the bill for his individual members, which proposed raising the age of digital consent from 13 to 16. This means that social media companies required parental permission to process children's data under that age.
The bill now promises that the government will investigate further issues rather than implementing immediate changes.
Some experts warn that a complete ban is unrealistic or excessive. Sonia Livingston, a professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics, said it was “too simple” to reduce pressure to reform the services of social media companies and to ensure children do not do anything harm.
She said that any restrictions should involve alternative activities for children, especially opportunities to meet and play with friends, and it is important to recognize the practical uses of smartphones, such as using maps, homework, contacting parents.
“I fully understand why I want age restrictions on smartphone ownership, but I don't think the ban on blankets is the way to go,” says Livingstone.
