14 May 2025
Pupils attending primary schools in Harpenden will not be allowed to bring a smartphone into school from September.
Harpenden and District Primary Heads Consortium made the announcement today – a year after their peers in St Albans called on a smartphone ban for children under 14.
A joint statement was released by the heads of Crabtree Infant School, High Beeches, Manland, Beech Hyde, Grove Junior, Kimpton, St Nicholas’, St Hilda’s, Batford Nursery, Harpenden Academy, Crabtree Junior School, Wood End, Roundwood Primary, Grove Infants, Sauncey Wood, The Lea, St Dominic’s, Harpenden Academy and St Helen’s.
“This is the first stage in what we feel is an important step in the right direction. The local secondary schools support this and are continuing to look at the ways that they can further support this campaign in the future.
“You will be aware that we are not the first schools to change the rules on smartphones and this rule is now in place across St Albans and the majority of primary schools in London.
“We know that this alone will not protect children from many of the issues which arise from smartphone use and access to social media and we will continue to ensure that we educate children throughout their years at school.
“We ask that, where possible, you consider delaying giving your child a smartphone until they are older and if you feel your child needs a phone for safety reasons, consider a phone without internet connectivity (a ‘brick’ phone), such as a Nokia 3210 (now available online and in some well-known stores, in a variety of colours).
“We know that many of you are keen to delay giving your child a smartphone, so we hope that the positon we are adopting as a group of local schools will support you in your decision.”
Hundreds of parents across the district have already signed a pledge promising not to buy their children a smartphone until they are in Year 9. The “parents pact” is the latest initiative from Herts Smartphone Free Childhood, a campaign which gained momentum after the St Albans Times broke the story that 20 out of 24 primary headteachers in St Albans city wanted to see smartphones restricted until pupils were 14.
Victoria Edgar from Crabtree Smartphone Free Childhood parents group reacted to the ban: “It is fantastic news and matches the growing momentum of the SFC movement among parents in Harpenden.
“Next we are hoping to partner with the Harpenden secondary schools.
“Our hope is that ‘smartphone free’ can become a realistic family choice for the upcoming 2025 Year 7 intake across Harpenden.”
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins said: “Parents, teachers and even young people themselves are calling for action to improve their online safety. During my Safer Screens Listening tour, I talked to local students across Harpenden, and they shared their worries about the explicit and harmful content being pumped out, as well as ‘brain rot’ and concerns about their younger siblings. This is a powerful testament to the damage being done.
“The Harpenden schools’ decision, supported by many parents, shows that communities are ready for change. Working collectively is a powerful step forward.
In Parliament, I’ve been fighting to raise the age of data consent from 13 to 16.
“Tech companies shouldn’t be harvesting children’s data, and we must protect our young people from predatory digital practices. Together, we’re building a movement prioritising children’s wellbeing over tech companies’ profits, ensuring our young people can learn and grow without the constant pressure of smartphones and social media.”
