Eye-opening results
Banned smartphones trial: Channel 4’s new documentary, Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, explores the impact of smartphone use on children. Featuring a groundbreaking experiment at The Stanway School in Colchester, the series examines how a three-week smartphone ban affects Year 8 pupils’ wellbeing, sleep, and social interactions.
The experiment: 21 days of banned smartphones
The study, conducted by The University of York, followed 26 pupils who gave up smartphones for 21 days. Researchers monitored behavioural changes through cognitive tests, sleep trackers, and mood surveys. Over 1,000 students also participated in a survey, revealing significant trends in smartphone usage and its effects.
Key findings on smartphone habits
The study uncovered concerning statistics about smartphone usage:
- 17% of children spend over six hours daily on their phones, exceeding the time spent in school.
- 42% of children have been contacted by strangers online.
- 32% encounter explicit content, with 11% seeing it weekly.
- 53% sleep with their phones beside their beds, affecting their sleep quality.
The impact of banned smartphones
The ban led to striking improvements in the pupils’ wellbeing:
- One extra hour of sleep nightly, with children falling asleep 20 minutes faster.
- A 17% reduction in depression-related feelings and an 18% drop in anxiety-related feelings.
- Better social connections, with pupils enjoying richer interactions with family and friends.
- A 30-minute increase in physical activity daily.
Despite the ban, children reported feeling no less socially connected, debunking the myth that smartphones are essential for socialising.
Experts call for change
Presenters Matt and Emma Willis hope the experiment sparks action. Matt Willis said:
“The statistics on children’s smartphone use are beyond worrying. We hope this study inspires positive change.”
Dr Rangan Chatterjee, featured in the series, emphasised the need for boundaries:
“We must help children reset their relationship with technology. Screen-free mealtimes and no phones in bedrooms are good starting points.”
A critical conversation
The series highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach to smartphone use. Professor Lisa Henderson from The University of York noted:
“Smartphone effects on sleep are particularly notable, given its critical role in children’s development and mental health.”
Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones aired on Channel 4 on 11th and 12th December. Watch it here.
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