Parents are urging the council to help make schools smartphone-free. Residents across Brighton and Hove have started a petition to voice their concerns over the impact the technology is having on teenagers and young children. In the petition on Change.
org , parents have submitted a copy of a letter which was sent to Jo Lyons, head of education at Brighton and Hove City Council. In the letter, parents urge the council to recommend new school guidelines that support reducing phone use among children both inside and outside of school. READ MORE: Historic castle announces big bank holiday event Natalie Dean, who started the petition, wrote: "We propose that the council encourages schools to adopt guidelines recommending that parents delay providing smartphones to their children until they are older and promote the use of basic mobile phones or smartwatches that allow parents to stay in contact with their children without exposing them to the risks associated with smartphones.
"We urge the council alongside this to potentially launch an educational campaign aimed at informing parents about the potential dangers of early smartphone usage. "This campaign could include arranging workshops, and collaborating with local schools to disseminate this vital information through a variety of channels." Parents also want the council to provide resources and support to schools so these new guidelines will be implemented effectively.
They also want teachers and staff to undergo training session.