Experts explore smartphone impact on children

Experts, parents, and community leaders came together in Bournemouth to examine the effects of smartphone and screen use on children’s health and wellbeing.

The Dorset branch of Smartphone Free Childhood hosted a lively discussion at Patch on the first floor of Bobby’s on Tuesday 7 October, drawing an audience of around seventy-five people.

Speakers included Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, local GP Dr Helen Thomas, paediatrician Dr Kelly Brown, tech expert Andrew Wilmot, and school leaders from Bournemouth, Ringwood, and Blandford. They shared research and insights on how smartphones influence children’s mental and physical health, from sleep disruption and screen addiction to the risks of exposure to harmful content online.

Dr Thomas compared rising smartphone dependency to other addictive behaviours such as gambling and smoking, while Dr Brown discussed the impact of screen time on younger children’s development.

Andrew Wilmot explained how games and apps are built to keep users hooked, while school leaders described their decisions to ban phones during the school day to help pupils focus and socialise more naturally.

Parents attending the event were encouraged to take small, practical steps, such as removing phones from bedrooms and meal times. Many shared their own pledges for change before leaving.

Event organiser Lisa Ratnam said the evening helped open up a vital conversation. “Parents, teachers, and professionals are all seeing the effects of smartphones on children. This was about listening, learning, and working out what we can do differently.”

One attendee, Laura Williams, said learning about the risks had encouraged her to act now with her own children.

The campaign continues to grow across the country, offering families information and support to delay or limit smartphone use among young people.