Welcome to the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) info hub for West Hove Infants and Hove Juniors.

How we can help:

This webpage is run by a small group of parents, and aimed at rallying support for those who would like to:

* Think about delaying the introduction of smartphones for their children: Sign our pact here. 
* Explore alternative options.
* Find support within our school and local community, and connect with other like minded parents and carers.

Watch this short video to find out more about why we are doing this. 

“Stolen Childhood” 

 

This page is focused only on school-relevant information. For up-to-date research, local events, and info on the Brighton & Hove, and Sussex-wide movements, please visit the Sussex SFC website here.

Our SFC Parent Support WhatsApp Groups:

Use the QR codes below or click on these links to join our school-wide WhatsApp groups:

    

* Portland Road site: 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHAccChfegl6OUUCkC7MMM

* Holland Road site: 
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CmBDzMPJH0X4MTRtmH3wde

Strength is in numbers and we are always looking for more people to join our working group!

Please get in touch via your school’s whatsapp group (links above) if you would like to find out more.

Our School Smartphone Survey:

In June 2024 we carried out a school-wide survey, showing overwhelming support for a pact to delay the introduction of smartphones, and feelings of concern from parents and carers about the impact of smartphones. Read our findings here, in the West Hove parent smartphone survey report.

Sign the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact:

In response to the nation-wide outpouring of concern and support for a delay in the introduction of smartphones, the SFC movement has produced school-specific pacts. 

Sign your name here, and signal your intention to delay giving your child a smartphone until they reach the age of 14. It’s voluntary and non-binding, but the more sign ups we get, the easier it will be to start changing the norm in our school, for our kids. 

Sign the pact here, and see where we are on the Sussex leaderboards!

Useful Information, Links and Resources:

* Parenting in the Digital Age, a brilliant information video for parents on how to navigate technology, especially smartphones by GP Dr Susie Davis 

* BBC breakfast interview with headteacher, Tony Plunkett, and co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, Joe Ryrie, talking about the SFC Parent Pact, 26th September 2024 

*National Summit on Education talk by Jonathon Haidt, containing the latest research into why social media and smartphones are causing an epidemic of mental illness amongst our young people 

*‘The Anxious Generation’ book by Jonathon Haidt