Southam College supports the Smartphone Free Childhood.
Smartphones: The Risks
Over recent years, there have been growing concerns about the impact of smartphones and smart technology on children’s lives. Evidence shows that the use of smartphones can have a stark effect on young people’s emotional wellbeing, sleep, safety and focus in school.
Data tells us that:
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90% of girls and 50% of boys surveyed by Ofsted had been sent unsolicited explicit content online (Ofsted, 2021);
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51% of 11-13 year olds in the UK have seen pornography online, with the majority being seen unintentionally (BBFC, 2022);
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Teens with problematic smartphone use are three times as likely to have depression (Kings College London, 2024);
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Teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face a doubled risk of anxiety and depression (Jama Psychiatry, 2019)
Our Concerns:
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Screen time: The number of hours students spend on their mobile phone indicates addiction, especially when considered with how many “pickups” they use too.
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Unhappiness: Increases in unhappiness correlates closely with the huge increase in the amount of time children are spending on screen and online (particularly social media apps).
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Sleep deprivation: Today’s children sleep less and have reduced attention spans.
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Online safety: Children can easily access material that could be emotionally harmful and which is not suitable for children.
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Self-Image: Children continually compare themselves to content online and this can be hazardous to their self-image.
Our Response:
Students at Southam College do not need to bring a mobile phone to school.
To help us to promote online safety, positive interactions and focus in lessons, it is mandatory for mobile phones and any web-enabled wearable devices such as smartwatches to remain switched off in students’ bags from the moment they enter school site until the 15.20 bell.
Sixth Form students are permitted to use mobile phones in the Quad and Study Room, and in a cover lesson to access work, but must switch off phones and place them inside bags at all other times, in all other locations.
Consequences and Confiscation:
Phones are confiscated if seen outside of a bag. They will be secured in the Student Office until the end of the day, and on the second, or further, occasion(s) of the academic year parents are required to collect the mobile phone. Students are responsible for informing parents of confiscation and any collection arrangements. If a student refuses to hand over their phone or smart-device, they will be placed on internal, until they hand in the device. Please note that headphones/ear buds are not permitted to be used in school, and will be confiscated in line with the procedures set out above. Students can collect headphones at the end of the school day.
