Protecting childhood: Navigating the digital world

Wandering our lush campus, you might see children sharing a story in the reading garden, creating in our outdoor kitchen, or climbing through woodland with confidence.

Orchards, allotments, beehives and a Japanese garden for mindfulness sit alongside classrooms, creating daily “pockets of happiness” that build confidence through experience. As one child reflects, “When you learn, not just in class, you can learn anywhere”.

However, I believe that childhood is under serious threat from the digital world, specifically from the use of excessive, passive screen time alongside the increasing use of social media by young children.

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Two years ago, well ahead of national policy, Manor Lodge became a smartphone-free school. This was not a symbolic gesture, nor a rejection of technology. It was a carefully considered response to mounting educational evidence and our experience as primary specialists.

Studies are now demonstrating how screen time is affecting early childhood development. Research links prolonged passive viewing in early childhood to reduced vocabulary and speech development. Early exposure to social media is increasingly associated with rising anxiety and poorer wellbeing in adolescence.

The University of Toronto found that every additional 30 minutes of handheld screen time in toddlers was associated with a 49 per cent increased risk of expressive speech delay and a study in the Plos One research forum, tracking preschoolers, found children exceeding recommended screen limits were significantly more likely to demonstrate attention difficulties by age five.

Broni Lloyd-Edwards[Missing Credit]

This is why I’ve called upon other leading schools to commit to a shared set of pledges aimed at reducing passive screen time. Haberdashers’ Boy’s and Girl’s School, St Maragret’s School, St Columba’s College, York House School, Aldenham Prep School and Abbot’s Hill school are all participating. Together we form a powerful alliance dedicated to protecting children’s wellbeing.

I have seen the benefits of Manor Lodge being smartphone-free at first hand. The culture of the school has shifted; I’ve seen parents asking more about what board games or family activities will help their children learn, rather than what App. The children themselves have taken to the campaign with gusto, proudly wearing their ‘Say no to smartphones’ badges; they talk so articulately about how playing outside is better for their wellbeing than being on a screen.

However, I want to go further than our school being simply smartphone free. As specialises in primary education, Manor Lodge is moving back to basics, that doesn’t mean backwards, but forwards, wisely.

We are monitoring and limiting how we use screens in our school, prioritising reading, handwriting, oracy and number fluency. We are increasing time for storytelling, debate and discussion. This will strengthen attention, deep thinking and encourage imagination over passive consumption. Most importantly we are promoting imaginative, unstructured play, to me, the essence of childhood.

While we are cautious about the digital world, we are far from "anti-technology". We have invested significantly in our infrastructure to remain at the forefront of innovation. We focus on Purposeful IT: technology that makes difficult tasks easier, that is appropriate for the child's developmental stage, and that adds unique depth to a lesson.

For example, teacher-led engagement is a better way for nursery and reception children to learn a song than watching a YouTube video.

However, in history lessons, using augmented reality can let students explore ancient structures in 3D. This gives them a unique experience and one that genuinely improves their understanding of the topic.

We focus on developing critical thinking and logical skills (both essential for getting the most from AI). We ensure that IT enhances the curriculum and inspires real curiosity, helping pupils retain knowledge, stretch their imagination, and learn how to excel in the modern world.

This is not a rejection of the digital world. It is a rebalancing. Every child deserves a childhood. Every child deserves a safe digital start. Every child deserves adults willing to draw wise boundaries. I want to ensure that when our pupils’ step fully into the digital world, they do so from a position of strength and not at the detriment of their childhood.

Alyson Lobo is head teacher of Manor Lodge