Roll backSmartphones
We are campaigning for more and better regulation to protect children from addictive by design smartdevices and harmful online content.
Children are spending more time than ever on smartphones and devices that are deliberately designed to keep them engaged. Loaded with addictive-by-design features — such as brilliant colours, infinite scroll, short form videos and algorithm-driven content — these devices exploit children’s attention. A wide body of evidence shows links between excessive screen time and negative impacts on children’s mental health, sleep, attention, and learning. Yet, current regulations have not kept pace with the technology shaping young people’s lives.
campaignRoll back Smartphones
We are calling for a smartphone regulatory framework to protect our children
We are campaigning for the introduction of a new legal framework to regulate children’s access to addictive-by-design smartphones and applications.
A 2024 report by the Education Select Committee on the impact of screen time on childrens’ education and well-being echoed our campaign goals showing that the evidence of harm is overwhelming. As a society we must not stand by and let this continue.
We are calling on the Government to act upon the recommendations in this report to safeguard the mental health, wellbeing and academic potential of current and future generations of children.
Our Campaign
Join our mailing listOur proposals
We are calling for the Government to prioritise these five key steps:
Tobacco-style health warnings
Prominent tobacco -style health warnings about excessive screen time and addictive nature of devices to be displayed on smartphone packaging and in all smartphone-related advertisements
NO Smartphones in schools
Smartphones use to be prohibited in schools and early-years settings (rather than current advisory guidance) . Education on addictive smartphone behaviour, related mental health risks and child-appropriate phone alternatives to be included in the online safety curriculum.
Public health campaign
A Government or industry-funded campaign to raise awareness among parents and children of the risk of harms from excessive screen time and addictive behaviours associated with smartphone use.
NO unrestricted apps
A prohibition on the sale, supply and marketing of unrestricted smartphones and applications to children until the end of Secondary School Key Stage 4 with the onus on suppliers to verify the age of users.
NEW child-appropriate phones
A licencing regime to create a new market for child-appropriate restricted smartphones and applications that meet narrow safety and appropriateness criteria set in law and overseen by an independent kite marking authority which prioritises children’s well-being, such as the Children’s Commissioner.
We will look back in 20 years and be horrified by what our children were exposed to.
Dame Rachel de Souza
What is theEvidence?
A core body of evidence from clinicians and health professionals shows children are exposed to an array of causal and correlational harms from smartphones, social media and excessive screen time.
Health Professionals for Safer Screens have compiled a comprehensive collection of resources, including extensive evidence documents and powerful short films, that highlight the issues faced by children.
Health Professionals for Safer Screens see first hand the profound impact that excessive screen time and device use is having on the physical, mental, and social well-being of children. They believe it is vital to move beyond waiting for more research and focus instead on preventive action, ensuring children’s safety in a world where digital devices have become ubiquitous. Health Professionals for Safer Screens advocate for the adoption of the precautionary principle and the creation of a broad societal understanding of the risks to protect children’s health.
The evidence in video
Our video library features doctors, therapists, and other experts sharing the real life challenges children face with excessive screen use.