Better Internet for Kids

Can a smartphone-free childhood work? A question that is not so easy to answer - after all, a large part of the social life of children and young people now takes place online. Whether such a renunciation works is also a very individual question. However, if certain conditions are met, growing up without a mobile phone is certainly possible.

Ensure good social contacts

Of course, it is crucial that the child stays in contact with others even without a smartphone - with friends as well as with relatives, such as cousins. Many children communicate via WhatsApp or online games, so other ways are needed for the child to find out about meetings and news. Parents should consider who can be a reliable contact person and make sure that the child is not excluded - even for spontaneous appointments.

Ensure integration at school

Of course, the child must also remain well integrated at school - both in terms of content and socially. On the one hand, they need reliable ways to find out about homework, tests or missed material. Although there are learning platforms and online class books, these are not always used by teachers. In Austria, many classes now use Microsoft Teams - and this can be used without a mobile phone, namely on the tablets or laptops that the children receive as part of the "Digital Learning" device initiative.  

On the other hand, social contacts at school are also important. The ban on mobile phones in schools, which is already in force in many countries, could be an advantage: If children aren't using their mobile phones during breaks, they talk to each other more - this is particularly beneficial for those who do not have a smartphone. However, this requires schools to create the right conditions. After all, if pupils continue to communicate on their mobile phones outside of lessons - for example, secretly during the break or after school - children without smartphones will still be excluded.

Reflect on the family situation

For a smartphone-free childhood to succeed, the framework conditions in the family are also important. Parents should bear in mind that they are role models when it comes to mobile phone use and that their child will be guided by their behaviour. They should therefore reflect on how much importance they themselves and other family members attach to cell phones: How much are they online themselves, how often do they use their mobile phones for distraction or relaxation? Do they also have hobbies offline - and how much do they do together as a family? It is also important to ensure that there is enough space for conversations and simple things like laughing together. Parents should also offer enough alternatives to mobile phone use, for example cooking together, playing games or sports activities. The less children perceive the mobile phone as competition and the more other activities you show them, the less urgent the desire for their own smartphone will be.

Not all children are the same!

How well or poorly children cope with not having a mobile phone ultimately depends very much on the child themselves and their interests. Parents should consider how their child likes to spend their free time. Do they have passions and hobbies that are more important than digital activities? How do they deal with boredom, commitments and things that require discipline (e.g. school or sport)? How well are they integrated into the class community? Is there a risk that they could feel excluded and suffer as a result?

Parents should definitely have a conversation with their child about these issues and try to find out honestly how they themselves see the situation. In fact, some children are actually happy not to be exposed to the pressure of digital media, while others suffer from the feeling of marginalisation. It is important to remember that children are very different and have a right to be included in their parents' considerations - because ultimately the decision for or against a smartphone affects their lives!

Media education is important - even without a smartphone.

Even if parents want a smartphone-free life for their child, they should not ignore one thing: Children will always come into contact with media content - be it with friends, at school or at family celebrations (for example, when their older cousins show them dubious content to show off). Parents must therefore always ensure that their child learns how to use digital media competently and responsibly.

Media education concerns many different aspects - from the assessment of online content (how can content be evaluated and where can trustworthy information on the respective topic be found?) to the handling of personal information (which photos and data may be published online - including by others - and which may not?) Last but not least, it is also about how to deal with each other online: Even children without smartphones realise that there are online conflicts (from minor disagreements to cyberbullying and online hate) and need to know good strategies for dealing with such disputes.

Do not disregard needs

To ensure that children can grow up well without a mobile phone these days, there are a few things to bear in mind. Whatever parents decide: It is important that they make their arguments transparent and do not forget the needs of their child. If the child is well embedded socially, feels safe and valued and has good role models when it comes to the mobile phone use of their adult caregivers, then the "smartphone-free childhood" adventure can certainly succeed!

Find more information about the work of the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.