Petition calls for action on phones in schools

More than 1,500 people have signed the petition in its first five days

A petition has been launched calling on a Sussex council to recommend new guidelines for smartphone use among children, both inside and outside school hours.

More than 1,500 people have signed the petition in Brighton and Hove.

Natalie Dean, who started the campaign, said the council "can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and providing evidence-based guidance".

A spokesperson for Brighton & Hove City Council said "a decision on smartphones use in schools is currently up to individual schools".

In a letter addressed to the council parents and campaigners highlighted the "negative effects of early smartphone use" and pointed to "successful smartphone-free policies" in some areas of England.

Schools in England were given new guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day in February.

Last month a head teacher in St Albans called on parents not to let their children have a smartphone before they are 14.

'Smartphone-free policies'

Ms Dean, who started the Brighton petition, said: “There is a growing movement advocating for a smartphone-free childhood, and many schools across the country are adopting this stance.

"We urge the council to potentially launch an educational campaign aimed at informing parents about the potential dangers of early smartphone usage."

A spokesperson for the city council said: “We take the wellbeing of young people very seriously and earlier this year agreed £200,000 in funding for a new programme providing in-school mental health support to young people.”

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