No TikTok, No Instagram, No Snapchat: The Bold School Experiment That Worked

A secondary school struggling to meet standards made a remarkable turnaround thanks to a bold decision to tackle smartphone distractions head-on.

In 2023, teachers from Cumberland Community School in Newham, East London, asked students to delete their social media platforms and take part in compulsory revision sessions. 160 students out of 300 agreed, and some students even handed over their phones entirely to stay focused.

The results were nothing short of transformative.

At the end of 2024, the school announced the results of the experiment: the school's progress score has jumped significantly, with students improving by more than a grade on average. Last year, 62% of its GCSE students achieved at least a Grade 5 in English and maths—16 points above the national average.

Headteacher Ekhlas Rahman credits the phone-free initiative as a key factor in their success. "The social media ban was a game changer," Rahman said. "Our students became fully focused on their revision, and the improvement in their results has been extraordinary. Credit goes to our staff and students for their hard work and commitment."

The school is planning to run the scheme again in 2025.

Growing Concern Over Smartphones in Schools

The debate over smartphones and their impact on children's education and mental health is intensifying. Research by Ofcom reveals that 90% of 11-year-olds in the UK own a smartphone, and nearly all children spend time online. Despite age restrictions on social media platforms, six in ten kids aged 8–12 have their own accounts. Alarmingly, three in five schoolchildren have reported unsettling experiences online.

In response, some schools are taking matters into their own hands. For example, Eton College introduced basic "brick" phones for Year 9 students during the school day, while Ormiston Academies Trust implemented classroom phone bans across its network of schools. Studies suggest such measures could lead to improved academic outcomes, with students achieving one to two grades higher in schools with strict phone policies.

Screentime Around the World

Since 2013, the average time spent on screens each day has increased by over 30 minutes, showing our growing reliance on digital devices.

Globally, people now spend an average of 6 hours and 40 minutes per day on screens.

In the United States, this number rises to 7 hours and 3 minutes daily, making Americans some of the heaviest screen users in the world. Children and teens in the US are similarly immersed in screens. Kids aged 8-12 spend an average of 4-6 hours a day on digital devices, while teenagers ramp up their usage to as much as 9 hours daily, spanning smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs, and computers.

In the UK, screen use starts young. About 74% of parents with children under the age of 2 say their child regularly watches TV. As children grow, their screen use expands:

• Kids aged 5-16 spend at least 6 hours a day looking at screens, with time divided between gaming, television, and mobile phones (Source: Specsavers).
• Screen time peaks for older children aged 11-14, who typically clock in around 9 hours daily (Source: The Independent).

Managing a child's screen time is challenging for families

Your child is never too young for a screen-time plan. Whether it's a toddler glued to cartoons or a teenager immersed in social media, setting boundaries helps create a healthier relationship with screens while encouraging offline activities.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry offers age-specific recommendations for managing screen time:

• Under 18 months: Limit screen use to video chats with an adult present, such as connecting with a traveling parent.
• 18-24 months: Introduce educational programming with a caregiver actively engaging in the experience.
• Ages 2-5: Keep non-educational screen time to about 1 hour on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends.
• Ages 6 and up: Focus on encouraging healthy digital habits and limiting activities involving screens.
• Turn off all screens during family meals and outings. 
• Avoid using screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums. 
• Removing screens from bedrooms 30-60 minutes before bedtime to support better sleep.
• Use parental controls to create a safer online environment.

Bitdefender Parental Control is designed to simplify this process for families. This easy-to-use feature set helps parents by offering:

·  Internet Time Limits: Set boundaries on how long your child can use the internet each day.

·  Content Filtering: Block access to inappropriate content by selecting categories to restrict.

·  Custom Routines: Design routines like Focus time, Family time, or Bedtime to ensure screen use fits into your family's schedule.

·  Location Tracking: Gain peace of mind by knowing your child's whereabouts at all times.

·  Reward System: Offer extra internet time as a reward for positive behavior to keep children engaged and motivated.

·  Activity Reports: Access detailed insights into your child's online activity across all devices, making monitoring simple and effective.

Bitdefender Parental Control is included in all our Bitdefender Family Plans.

Sources: aacap.org, explodingtopics.com