A school is planning to only allow non-smartphones for Year 7 pupils from September 2025.

Ringwood School has announced the new policy due to concerns about the negative impact of smartphones on young people's mental health.

This decision came after research and Channel 4 documentary Swiped, which highlighted the "detrimental effects" of smartphones on children, including impacts on sleep and focus.

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The school believes that early exposure to smartphones can have adverse effects on children's mental health, sleep and focus.

Research, including findings from Swiped, shows that smartphone use among children is linked to rising mental health issues, which have increased by 50 per cent in the last three years.

By introducing this change, the school hopes to foster a healthier environment for Year 7 students as they transition into secondary school.

Leanne Symonds, headteacher at Ringwood School, said: "We recognise the important role that technology, including smartphones, plays in today’s world, but our priority is the health and well-being of our students.

"By limiting smartphone use for Year 7s, we aim to create a healthier, more focused learning environment that supports their mental health and academic success."

Many students access social media platforms before the age of 13, exposing them to harmful content.

Reducing screen time is believed to help improve sleep and academic performance.

The growing national concern around children's smartphone use has led to increased scrutiny at the government level.

The Safer Phones Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, aims to address these issues by promoting safer and more regulated smartphone use among young people.

Ringwood School’s policy reflects this broader effort to protect children's well-being and ensure they have a balanced relationship with technology.

Ringwood School hopes this initiative will encourage wider discussions among parents, educators and policymakers about the best ways to support children in navigating the digital world safely and responsibly.