Safe Screens Campaign, London (2026)

08/06/2026

“If college students can’t learn that well when there’s a computer in front of them, how do we expect eight-year-olds to do it?”

The million dollar question from Jonathan Haidt as he explains ‘Why You Should Be a Techno-Sceptic’. 
When we have one-to-one device policies in schools with internet-enabled devices on every child’s desk, what exactly are we giving them?

A learning tool?

Or a device that can also provide access to games, videos, messaging, social media, YouTube Shorts and even po*******hy?

In his TED Talk, Haidt argues that we have normalised one-to-one devices in schools without properly considering the consequences for attention, learning and child development.

He points to clear scientific evidence from Sweden’s renowned Karolinska Institute - that computers in schools impair rather than enhance student learning.

And that a growing number of educators are becoming concerned about the impact of screens on concentration.

As Haidt puts it:

“Computers and tablets are multifunction entertainment systems.”

If adults struggle to resist notifications, multitasking and the pull of the internet, why do we assume children can successfully navigate the same distractions throughout the school day?

After years of leading the world in classroom digitisation, Sweden is moving back towards textbooks, handwriting and reduced screen use as concerns about learning outcomes have grown.

Yet the UK continues to invest heavily in EdTech and one-to-one device programmes.

Before we place a connected device on every child’s desk, shouldn’t we first ask whether it improves learning and what children may be losing in the process?

If you’d like to join the conversation around screens in education, join the Safe Screens WhatsApp community via the link in our bio.

07/06/2026

With over 116,009 responses to their Growing Up in the Online World consultation — including more than 44,000 from parents and carers — is the Government finally realising the impact of social media, screens and EdTech on our children?

“The loss of childhood is a national crisis.” — Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary

As reported in , Ministers confirmed that screen time guidance for 5–16 year olds and independent EdTech accountability are both coming.

Parents and campaigners — this is the impact of your voices!

Let’s keep going. 💪

Join the conversation in our WhatsApp group for updates — link in bio.

03/06/2026

Children are spending more and more time on screens every day.
Schools are increasingly delivering learning through screens - for both classwork and homework.

Parents need to know that this educational norm, often presented as “beneficial for children and preparing children for a digital world” may have unintended consequences.

In this conversation, paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Robert Clark joins Dr Rupa Wong to discuss the sharp rise in childhood myopia (short-sightedness) and the role of increased near-work, device and screen use, and time spent indoors.

With screen-based learning accelerating in schools - even in early years - the hours spent focusing on close-up screens quietly add up, diminishing the time children spend outside.

Research suggests that each additional hour of daily screen time increases a child’s risk of developing myopia by 21%.
This isn’t simply about children needing glasses. Higher levels of myopia are associated with a greater risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Yet discussions about devices used for school and homework rarely include the impact on children’s eyesight.
Children need daylight, distance vision, outdoor play, and regular opportunities to be away from screens.

Do you know how much daily screen time your child is having for school work?

Credit: Dr Rupa Wong () featuring Dr Robert Clark.

01/06/2026

Parents in Ireland are being told that every child needs a personal device.

That it’s “essential.”

That it’s more sustainable than books.

But the evidence doesn’t fully support that.

UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report found only small to moderate benefits from education technology, and even those were difficult to separate from investments in better teaching time and other additional resources.

The largest laptop scheme ever trialled produced results that researchers described as “small and insignificant.”

And the claim that devices are more sustainable than books is also in question.

A recent article highlighted that discarded devices are leaving behind a toxic carbon footprint.

The Irish Times also exposed how aggressively 1:1 devices are being pushed into schools, with school principals invited to high-value hotel stays to discuss “student device models.”

Parents should be asking: Why are devices being marketed this hard if the evidence is still so unclear?

And the risks are rarely discussed.
A 2025 meta-analysis covering 335,000 children linked screen time to rising myopia risk.

Finnish research found 2+ hours of daily computer use was associated with a 2–4x increase in neck and shoulder pain.
Yet many children are now expected to spend hours on laptops in classrooms without even the ergonomic protections required in workplaces.

There is another staggering contradiction at the heart of this debate.

29/05/2026

Even a baby can swipe a smartphone or iPad. That’s how intuitive tech is for kids.

So why are we putting screens in almost every classroom?  
The argument that we need to teach digital literacy has somehow morphed into the idea that we need to teach all skills through a computer.   .cooney.horvath, Educator, Neuroscientist and Author of The Digital Delusion, is clear - these are not the same thing. You don’t have to carry a violin to every class to learn music. Literacy comes from deep knowledge — not from being taught how to use a screen.

28/05/2026

Doctors are warning that we are only seeing the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the impact of smartphones and social media on children.

Speaking on BBC Radio Two with Jeremy Vine alongside Charlotte Ashton from Generation Focus, GP Dr Rebecca Foljambe said the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ submission marks a major turning point, comparing Big Tech’s tactics to those of Big To***co and calling for urgent government action.

One of the most important points raised?

Doctors and health professionals need proper guidance and training to routinely screen children for harms linked to screens and social media not just in university research settings, but in everyday clinical practice too.

As Dr Becky Foljambe explained, many clinicians are already seeing concerning cases, yet there is currently no consistent framework to help identify, record or respond to these harms properly.

“We need evidence to be collected in clinical settings, not just universities.”

The report calls for: • stronger public health measures • meaningful legislation • better support for schools and families • and robust clinical guidance for frontline professionals

Without government action, parents, teachers and doctors are being left to fight this alone. The medical profession is speaking with increasing urgency.

27/05/2026

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has never owned a smartphone.
 He doesn’t use email.
 He uses a standard flip phone when he needs to travel.
 No matter how difficult this can be in today’s world, he describes himself as “very fortunate to be free from the shackles of digital life.” 
He’s not alone. 63% of Gen Z are now intentionally disconnecting from their devices. 
Yes, modern life makes it hard - banking, parking, QR codes and work all compel us to be online.  
But pushing back IS possible.
 Do you think life would be easier for children if society wasn’t so dependent on smartphones?

Could you give up yours?

26/05/2026

In this conversation from the podcast, Sophie Winkleman and Hugh Grant speak with about classroom screens, one-to-one devices and AI in childhood.

As they point out, even the king of tech, Bill Gates, has said devices have “a lousy record in the classroom.”

Their message is simple:
Children should not be exposed to to 1:1 devices in classrooms and no AI until proven safe. Which, as Jonathan Haidt warns, “it probably never will be.”

Why are schools continuing to move in the opposite direction?

23/05/2026

If you think the Government should raise the age of access to harmful social media platforms to 16, please do this today.

The consultation closes on 26th May.
The official consultation itself is long and complicated - with over 60 questions.

That’s exactly why our Raise the Age link matters.
It removes the overwhelm and takes less than one minute to complete.

No expertise needed. No complicated process. Just a quick and easy way to add your voice.

We know Big Tech will make their voices heard , so parents and the public need to ensure that our message - to raise the age of access to harmful social media to 16 - is delivered loud and clear.
The Government has already acknowledged the huge
concern around children, smartphones and social media.
Now you have a chance to call for stronger protections around social media or under-16s.

If you care about: • childhood • smartphones • social media • online safety • children’s wellbeing
*children’s futures

Please click the link and take part before 26th May.
Link in bio.

21/05/2026

Parents fought to get smartphones out of schools.
Now they face a battle with screens becoming embedded in schools and nurseries.

Whether it’s 1:1 devices, gamified apps or giant screens showing cartoon-style content that replaces play-based learning.   Parents are describing: • emotional meltdowns after on-screen homework apps • battles removing devices after school tasks • children becoming distressed and dysregulated • pressure to accept screen-based activities in nurseries and schools • little choice to opt out of screens and gamified apps in schools  At the same time, the Government has: • agreed smartphone bans in schools • committed to introducing restrictions for under-16s and social media • published screen time guidance for families of 0-5 year olds  Yet classroom screen use and EdTech investment are accelerating rapidly, even in early years settings - where screen time guidance - is not being applied.  Health professionals interviewed for the PoliticsHome feature say concern is now shifting well beyond teenagers.  “We came in here more worried about teens. We are now more worried about early years.” Arabella Skinner, Policy Director, Health Professionals for Safer Screens  The article also highlights research by academic and early years education specialist, Dr Mandy Pierlejewski,around the compulsory digital Reception Baseline Assessment, where some four-year-olds struggled with the touchscreen tasks themselves. The drive to make the RBA digital comes directly from the Department of Education and parents have not been able to opt their children out.   As the UK continues pouring millions into AI, EdTech and 1:1 device rollouts in schools with little evidence of benefit…  Parents are seeing the impact this is having on their children and are asking:   • Should nurseries be using screens at all?  • Should parents have more say over screen use in schools?  • Are children being taught or managed through screens? • If you reduced screens at home, how would you feel to find your child was spending hours on them at school instead?  We’d like to hear parents’ experiences. Comment below or join our parents WhatsApp group via the link in our bio.

Safe Screens Campaign

08/06/2026

07/06/2026

03/06/2026

01/06/2026

29/05/2026

28/05/2026

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

23/05/2026

21/05/2026

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