Parents worldwide join smartphone-free childhood campaign after viral post
Dec 13, 2025, 5:00 AM
A British couple sparked a global movement for a smartphone-free childhood.
It all started with two parents in England — Daisy Greenwell and Joe Riory. When their eight-year-old daughter asked for a smartphone because “everyone else had one,” they decided to push back.
Greenwell found research suggesting that heavy smartphone use damages mental health in young people.
“What if we could switch the norm and unite for a smartphone-free childhood,” Greenwell asked on Instagram.
“That post went viral, and thousands of parents joined the group overnight, and within a couple of weeks, there were smartphone-free childhood groups in every county,” Greenwell told CBS News.
Today, the grassroots campaign has spread to 39 countries with families pledging no smartphones before age 14 and no social media before 16.
The movement even inspired this viral ad here in the U.S.
“Hey, kiddo, it’s about time for bed. Remember, there’s a box in the corner over there with all the pornographic material that’s ever been made in the world, even the really weird stuff that could scar you for life,” the ad stated. “I’m trusting you not to look in there.”
The message was shocking enough to spark debate across social media platforms. Now, governments are paying attention.
This week, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media accounts for children under 16. Tech giants like Meta and TikTok must enforce age restrictions — or face hefty fines.
Meanwhile, the U.K. said it’s watching closely, though no similar legislation is planned just yet.
“It isn’t an anti-tech movement. This is a pro-childhood movement,” parent Joe Riory said. “We’re not saying no smartphones ever. We’re not saying no tech ever. We’re not saying no internet ever. We’re just saying children don’t need unrestricted access to the internet in their pocket 24/7 when they’re young.
Many families are turning to simple “brick phones” that allow calls and texts but block internet access.
One study reveals that sales of these so-called “dumb” devices are up 150% among Gen Z in the U.S.
“It’s a dumb phone,” an expert stated. “No addictive social media, great, but also no WhatsApp, no Slack, no email, and no favorite public transit apps.”
In the U.K., one in four kids between the ages of 5 and 7 already own a smartphone. It could take a group movement to change that norm.
“So if your child then knows, ‘OK, I’ve got five other kids, 10 other kids in my class who are delaying smartphones for a few more years,’ And that peer pressure dissolves just makes it a lot easier for families to say, ‘OK, we’re going to just wait a few more years,'” Greenwell said. “We’re going to get a brick phone. In the meantime, it’s not that hard. We can do this.”
Whether it’s grassroots campaigns or government bans, a smartphone-free childhood might just be the new trend.
