Spotlight on Generation Focus: Supporting Schools to Go Smartphone‑Free
Generation Focus is a growing national campaign dedicated to ensuring every child can experience the benefits of a smartphone‑free school day. With increasing concerns about distraction, wellbeing, and the impact of social media on young people, the organisation is working with school leaders across the country to create calmer, more focused learning environments.
At the heart of their mission is a simple belief: a child’s school years are too precious to be spent on a smartphone. To support this, Generation Focus is calling for changes to government guidance so that all schools can confidently remove smartphones from the school day. Alongside this national advocacy, they are also empowering headteachers right now with practical tools, evidence, and case studies from schools that have already made the shift.
One of their key resources is the Headteacher Toolkit, developed in collaboration with leaders who have successfully implemented smartphone‑free policies. Schools consistently report that removing phones leads to improved engagement, better learning behaviours, and a more positive school culture for both pupils and staff.
“95% of students were against our policy, but since putting it in place even my Year 11s say how much better it’s been for them.”
Generation Focus is also part of a wider coalition calling for stronger protections for children, including supporting proposals to ban social media use for under‑16s. Their work is backed by a large and rapidly expanding network of headteachers from primary, secondary, and specialist settings across the UK.
“We have a responsibility to protect and nurture the developing minds of our children. In school we want children to be fully present – talking, playing, learning and thinking together. By taking a clear stand on smartphones, we are prioritising our pupils’ ability to focus, to form healthy friendships, and to develop the habits of attention and reflection that will support them throughout their lives.”
As conversations about digital wellbeing continue to grow, Generation Focus offers schools both a practical pathway and a united voice. Their message is clear: reducing smartphone use during the school day isn’t just possible – it’s transformative.
For more information, visit Generation Focus – Giving every child the benefits of a smartphone free school day.
