KIDS FOR NOW

Let kids be kids a little longer.

Our vision is to see parents supporting each other, supported by schools, to delay smartphones.

We started in 2022 as a grassroots movement of parents across the UK making a pact to delay smartphones together through local WhatsApp groups. In 2024 it went viral, giving birth to Smartphone Free Childhood.

Smartphones have put parents in an impossible situation. We are trapped between losing our child to a smartphone, on the one hand, and them being left behiind, missing out or even bullied without one. The Parent Pact allows us to connect with other parents and gives us back the real choice to delay smartphones together, keeping our kids safe from addictive apps and online harm, reclaiming a childhood where they can play and learn in real life rather than glued to a screen.

Addiction to social media and smartphones is harming a generation through social anxiety and depression, and putting children at risk of cyber-bullying and exploitation. Children don’t deserve to be burdened with the responsibility of managing these risks.

Children don’t need smartphones. They can keep in touch with a basic phone, without social media, and they can still learn to use technology positively and safely without a smartphone. Evidence suggests smartphones should be delayed until at least the age of 16.

Smartphone Free Childhood has shown that many of us have these concerns. Other parents will be pleased to know that your child won’t be getting a smartphone. Less children with smartphones means a safer environment for all children. Together we can support each other to delay smartphones and reduce the peer pressure. Join our growing community of parents taking control of smartphones and social media in our children’s lives.

Kids For Now paved the way for Smartphone Free Childhood.

Safety

A basic mobile phone allows children to stay in touch with family and friends and stay safe. They don’t need a smartphone with access to the internet and social media. So, give your child a basic mobile phone instead of a smartphone. See our list of great smartphone alternatives.

Kids For Now Founder Dr Sam Rice. Australia bans social media for under 16s. BBC Scotland, 28th November 2024.

Kids For Now Founder Sam Rice talking on Scotcast - BBC Scotland 02 Feb 2026.

A documentary film by Kids For Now Founder Dr Sam Rice ‘Why I’m Always Banging on About Phones’.

Join the movement, sign the Smartphone-Free Childhood pact: