The New Movement: Parents Unite Against Mobile Phones

Binding promises, playdates and supportive chat groups. In countries such as Spain, USA and the United Kingdom, parents are joining forces to keep children away from smartphones for as long as possible.

» Published: July 23 2024

The New Movement: Parents Unite Against Mobile Phones
Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP/TT

Binding promises, playdates, and supportive chat groups.

In countries like Spain, the USA, and the UK, parents are joining forces to keep children away from smartphones for as long as possible.

Most parents have been in this situation: the child looks at them with pleading eyes, points out that "everyone else" has one, and emphasizes the benefits of staying in touch with mom and dad.

Once you give in, there's often no going back.

Around half of 11-year-olds and almost all 13-year-olds in the USA own smartphones, according to a survey by the consulting firm Common Sense.

In Europe, the trend is the same.

Easier to resist?

But as more studies show that social media can lead to depression, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts among young people, parents have started to react. Vivek Murthy, a two-child father and head of the US federal health agency HHS, recently warned of a mental health crisis among young people. He urged Congress to act to get warning texts on social media.

Local organizations in the USA, including "Wait Until 8th", gather mothers and fathers who are ready to make promises not to give their children smartphones until they start high school, writes news site Axios.

The idea is that it's easier for parents to resist their children's phone pleas if more families in an area do the same.

Talk in the park

On the other side of the Atlantic, in Spain, the support group "Mobile-free youth" has gathered over 10,000 members. It was started by mother Elisabet García Permanyer, after she had a conversation with other worried parents in a park in Barcelona. The group advocates that children should be denied smartphones until they are 16 years old.

The reasoning is supported by Spanish police and health experts who have warned that children consume content with violence and pornography via their phones, writes news agency AP.

We adults are addicted to smartphones, how can we give them to 12-year-olds who have no idea how to handle them, asks García Permanyer rhetorically.

The Spanish government is on the same line. It has banned smartphones from schools' equivalent lower and middle levels.

Appeal from the principal

In the UK, where 97 percent of 12-year-olds own a smartphone according to the authority Ofcom, there is a Whatsapp group "United parents for a childhood free from smartphones" in each county.

And in Ireland, a similar movement started last year. It happened when eight elementary school principals wrote a joint letter to parents, urging them not to give their children smartphones.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing
1 MIN READ

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing Out of US Mineral Deal

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's
2 MIN READ

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's Support After Trump Golf Diplomacy

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without
1 MIN READ

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without Power Across US and Canada

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly
1 MIN READ

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly Attack on Burkina Faso Soldiers

Trump Hints at Third Term
1 MIN READ

Trump Hints at Third Term Despite Constitutional Limits

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War
1 MIN READ

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War Devastation on Frontline Journey

US Students Face Deportation Over
3 MIN READ

US Students Face Deportation Over Alleged Pro-Palestinian Support

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack on Ambulance Workers in Rafah

Trump Warns of Strikes if
1 MIN READ

Trump Warns of Strikes if Iran Rejects Peace Deal Proposal

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over
1 MIN READ

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over Ukraine, Threatens New Tariffs

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm
1 MIN READ

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm Without Delay

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1
1 MIN READ

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1 Earthquake Near Tonga

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm in Ceasefire Talks

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in Crash but Deemed a Success by Isar Aerospace

Sudanese Army Takes Control of
2 MIN READ

Sudanese Army Takes Control of Khartum as RSF Withdraws

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot
1 MIN READ

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot as Air Raid Sirens Sound

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite ICC Arrest Warrant

US Pledges Strong Military Presence
1 MIN READ

US Pledges Strong Military Presence in Taiwan Strait to Deter China

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects Trump's Takeover Claims

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills
1 MIN READ

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Eight, Including Five Children

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's
1 MIN READ

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's Largest Forest Fire

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous Utopia, Warns Lynge

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief
2 MIN READ

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief in Myanmar

Russian Attack on Kharkiv Leaves
2 MIN READ

Russian Attack on Kharkiv Leaves Two Civilians Dead, Hospital Damaged

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Hind Kabawat Becomes First Female Minister in Syria's New Government

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Drone Strike on Kharkiv Military Hospital

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on
1 MIN READ

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon After Ceasefire

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on US Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal;
1 MIN READ

Hamas Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Submits Counter-Offer

Israel Expands Ground Offensive in
1 MIN READ

Israel Expands Ground Offensive in Southern Gaza

Frederiksen's Greenland Visit Signals Closer
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen's Greenland Visit Signals Closer Denmark-USA Ties

Vance's Greenland Speech Criticized for
2 MIN READ

Vance's Greenland Speech Criticized for Lacking Substance

Myanmar Earthquake Victims Face Dire
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Victims Face Dire Healthcare Shortage, UN Warns

Two Dead, 105 Arrested in
1 MIN READ

Two Dead, 105 Arrested in Nepal Protests Over Former Monarchy

WHO Faces Budget Cuts After
2 MIN READ

WHO Faces Budget Cuts After US Withdrawal Decision

US Aid Halt Sparks Toxic
5 MIN READ

US Aid Halt Sparks Toxic Risk in Vietnam, Cleanup Efforts Stalled

Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills
1 MIN READ

Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills Over Ten, Including Children

Protesters in Copenhagen Rally Against
1 MIN READ

Protesters in Copenhagen Rally Against US Interest in Greenland

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Several Injured in Serious Violent Incident in Trondheim, Norway

Massive Istanbul Protests Demand Release
1 MIN READ

Massive Istanbul Protests Demand Release of Mayor Imamoglu