Let Your Kids Be Kids a Little Longer!
Join NHP parents pledging to wait until Year 8 to give their children a smartphone...
“TakeThePledge will be instrumental in raising awareness among NHP parents about the benefits of delaying smartphone usage.”
- Gavin B (NHP parent)
Our mission 💘
Sooner than you may like, your child will start asking for their own mobile phone. If many kids in their year group already have smartphones, the pressure on you to give in becomes immense.
TakeThePledge empowers Notting Hill Prep (NHP) parents to unite & say 'yes' to making NOT having a smartphone the norm among peer groups.
Knowing other parents are delaying helps alleviate the pressure to expose children to the risks of smart devices and social media.
Why delay giving a smartphone?
Smartphones increase the risk of your child developing anxiety and depression. 😞
Smartphones put your child at risk of cyber bullying and are a gateway to social media. 🚨
Smartphones are distracting, addictive and able to alter your child's brain chemistry. 🧠
But my child already has a smartphone / smart-device!?
You could consider replacing their smartphone with a basic phone focused on making and receiving calls and texts (SMS).
If that doesn't sound like fun:
Get information on establishing good tech boundaries and habits, visit our very useful links page to explore Mr Peter Whitmell's (Deputy Head, Notting Hill Prep School) recommended links from his excellent parent pastoral talk on phones, chats & social media.
Connect with other parents of children with phones (in your year group) who are interested in forming a brain trust, support network, or discussion group, click here.
"As a parent at Notting Hill Prep, TakeThePledge has given me the confidence to make what my family & I believe to be the right decision for my child's digital well-being. "
Q&A
- Q. Who is behind this website?
TakeThePledge is an independent initiative started by a concerned group of parents at Notting Hill Prep School in London.
- Q. What's the rationale behind waiting until at least Year 8?
Leading child psychologists, internet safety experts, and technology executives unanimously recommend delaying smartphone exposure until the age of 14.
The onset of secondary school marks a significant transition in a child's life and presents an ideal opportunity for families to reevaluate their technology approach.
Smartphones and social media carry increased risks and complexities for teenagers, making it even more crucial for parents of older children to consider how much access their child has to this technology.
- Q. What is the process for participating in TakeThePledge?
To delay giving your child a smartphone, simply sign our pledge. By doing so, we'll connect you with fellow parents in your year group who have also taken the pledge.
This connection with other parents who are delaying smartphone use assures both you and your children that you're not alone in your decision, effectively reducing peer pressure.
Additionally, this network of like-minded parents empowers you to support one another in sticking to your commitment to delay smartphone access.
- Q. What happens when I sign-up?
After you sign-up you will receive a confirmation email from the TakeThePledge team within 3 working days. If you opt-in, we will also connect you with the other parents in your year group to have signed the pledge.
- Q. Is it anonymous?
Signing up can be anonymous.
At no point will your data be published publicly and you have the choice whether or not to allow us to share your email address with other likeminded NHP parents to have signed the pledge.
- Q. What about my child's safety and staying in-touch?
A mobile phone without an internet connection or social media is arguably all children need for safety and to keep in touch with friends and family.
Giving them a basic phone saves them the responsibility, stress and dangers of owning a smartphone.
- Q. What about tablets and ipads?
For information on establishing good tech boundaries and habits, visit our very useful links page to explore Mr Peter Whitmell's (Deputy Head, Notting Hill Prep School) recommended links from his excellent parent pastoral talk on phones, chats & social media.
- Q. Won’t they miss out on the benefits of technology and how will they learn to use the internet safely?
Delaying the introduction of a smartphone does not mean your child will miss out on the benefits of technology.
We feel it simply provides a valuable larger window of opportunity for you to:
Supervise the introduction of technology gradually in a controlled manner.
Teach your child about internet safety, responsible online behaviour, and the potential risks associated with online activities.
Join other NHP parents committed to delaying smartphone usage.
“TakeThePledge is helping the NHP community address the growing concerns around smartphone usage and sparking important conversations among parents about responsible technology use.” - NHP parent