February 11, 2025

S15 Ep4: Smartphone Free Childhood Founders Daisy Greenwell and Joe Ryrie on the power of a parent collective and the pressures of social media on children

43 minutes

Netmums hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry join smartphone-free campaigners Daisy Greenwell and Joe Ryrie to discuss whether a smartphone free childhood is the right approach for our children today.

Daisy and Joe started the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign in February 2024, after one Whatsapp message went viral and later grew into a movement with over 200,000 members! They talk about their journey from being concerned parents to leading a national campaign, tackling the challenges and pressures of smartphones and social media on children.

The chat covers the risks of kids having unrestricted smartphone access such as exposure to harmful content and social media addiction. They also discuss the balance between enjoying tech benefits and keeping kids safe online.

You'll hear about the importance of parents working together, tech companies' roles, and the need for rules to ensure kids have age-appropriate tech access. If you're a parent struggling with setting smartphone boundaries, this episode offers practical advice for healthier digital habits and encouraging real-world engagement.

Daisy and Joe also share their ideas of smartphone alternatives that keep kids safe and connected without the risks.

If you’d like to learn more about their campaign or sign the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact, check out their website for resources and connect with local WhatsApp groups to meet like-minded parents:

https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/

Stay connected with Netmums for more parenting tips, community support, engaging content: Website: netmums.com / Instagram: @netmums

Series 15 of the Netmums Podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

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