Epsom and Ewell parents taking on the child smartphone challenge
Local parents are joining a national movement to delay children’s exposure to smartphones, with a sold-out event next week highlighting local concerns.
Epsom & Ewell’s Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) group is hosting The Hidden Impact of Smartphones on our Children on Wednesday 3 July, 7.30–9pm, at St Martin’s Junior School on Ashley Road. The event will feature contributions from local headteachers, youth speakers, and safeguarding experts.
The movement, which has already attracted nearly 150,000 signatories to its “Parent Pact” across the UK, encourages families to hold off giving children smartphones before age 14. Surrey parents have been among the strongest supporters of the initiative, which aims to reduce the mental health and online safety risks faced by children in a hyper-connected world.
Laura Baker, from Epsom & Ewell’s SFC group, said:
“It’s all about strength in numbers — if your child knows that other kids in their class won’t be getting a smartphone for a few years either, the peer pressure instantly dissolves.”
The event’s speaker line-up includes:
- Mrs Donna Dove, Health and Wellbeing Lead and teacher at St Martin’s, Epsom
- Mr Joe Hordley, Assistant Headteacher at St Andrew’s, Leatherhead
- Mrs Rachel Hall, Associate Headteacher at Glyn School
- Health Professionals for Safer Screens
- Advisors from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, addressing online safety and child protection
- Young people aged 13, 18, and 24 sharing personal perspectives on growing up in a digital age
Local MP Helen Maguire is expected to attend, and educators from more than ten primary and secondary schools across Epsom and Ewell are anticipated, reflecting the growing concern among school communities.
The organisers say school policies on smartphone use vary widely across Surrey, as staff attempt to manage the impacts of cyberbullying, mental health pressures, misogyny, and distraction in class.
Parents behind the initiative argue that urgent action is needed to protect children’s wellbeing, rather than waiting for government regulation of Big Tech. The cultural conversation around children and screens has been driven by hard-hitting documentaries such as Swiped and dramas like Adolescence, adding momentum to calls for change.
Epsom & Ewell SFC hope the borough could follow in the footsteps of St Albans, Bromley, and Southwark in developing a “smartphone free childhood” community.
The event is free to attend, but places must be booked in advance. After an initial sell-out, a limited number of extra tickets have now been released.
Booking and further information:
Laura Baker
📞 07704 274727
📧 SFC.epsom@gmail.com
