Our pupils often used to get into disputes that involved social media. They disrupted friendships, learning and the otherwise calm environment in classes, as well as upsetting individual pupils and their families. It was frustrating because it seemed so unnecessary – as well as something beyond our control. At the same time, research was showing the negative effects of social media and smartphones on children and young people. We knew some parents were worried about when to give in to their children’s repeated requests for a phone. Other children were given a phone in year 3. Something had to be done. Three years ago we started to ask parents in years 5 and 6 to take a pledge to delay buying a smartphone for their children until they were in secondary school. After we mooted the concept, families across the school from reception upwards also wanted to take part. So we decided to make this a whole school effort and to join the pledge of the Smartphone Free Childhood schools network, a national charity set up by parents. Our concerns about smartphones were also clearly shared by many parents, as 61 per cent originally agreed to sign the pledge, rising 21 per cent in the past year. Positive effect More than three quarters said they wouldn’t buy a mobile phone until their child started secondary school. Half of year 6 pupil parents also agreed to delay until their child was 14. The idea is that they will then be more mature and emotionally able to navigate social media. This initiative had a positive effect – within a year social media issues between children have reduced to zero, giving them the space to learn and to build friendships. We are also an outdoor play and learning (OPAL) school, and our children have since learned to play and talk to each other again. OPAL is an accredited mentor support programme and helps schools to align their play and academic beliefs. At playtimes, they climb trees and play together – they are happy. This includes our older year 5 and 6 pupils. We hold meetings twice a year and ask every parent to sign the pledge. It is driven by parents and school, but the focus is on the children. Understandably, parents want to protect their children and their widespread support has been vital. Making friends They also told us how their children have worked through the transition into secondary school and made friends without a smartphone, and that smartphones don’t necessarily keep a child safe. Parents whose children transitioned into year 7 came back to share how their child is happier without a phone and how they were safer without one. As a Catholic school, we undertook a whole school Lenten pledge this year to cut down on screen time. This was mainly for the pupils, although staff endeavoured to lead by example.The feedback was broadly positive. We were one of the first schools in Redbridge to put in place an initiative like this and have since been in contact with other primary – and even secondary – schools. We have brokered meetings between year 6 parents and secondary feeder school heads to try to ensure that the smartphone–free pledge carried through into secondary school as we have seen the benefit. It just goes to show what can be achieved when parents, pupils and staff members come together in this way.