Project Protect
Project Protect is a team of our children from across Key Stage 2 who are passionate about educating our community about the impact smartphones and use of the Internet can have on children's wellbeing.
Working alongside two of our parents, Stevie and Emma, they have written a series of podcasts which they hope will encourage families to think differently about how technology is used and the age at which children have access to a smartphone. Have a listen here:
PROJECT PROTECT PODCAST EPISODE 1
PROJECT PROTECT PODCAST EPISODE 2
PROJECT PROTECT PODCAST EPISODE 3
Should you be interested in finding out more, the Smartphone Free Childhood website has a wealth of information and research.
You can also sign the parent pact, committing to not giving your child a smartphone until the age of 14. There is now a wide range of modern mobile phones which allow children to call, message and take photographs, without the potential dangers of smartphone technology. Sign up here: Smartphone Parent Pact
Smartphone Alternatives
We live in a world which is orientated around the use of technology. Our children will inevitably use smart technology as they progress into adulthood. However, whilst they are learning to use this responsibly, while still very vulnerable, there are so many great alternatives to smartphones. Find out more here: Smartphone Alternatives
£239 for the Samsung Plus 4 model or £479 Google Pixel 8A
model. Plus £13.99 monthly for the Pinwheel Caregiver Portal
£235
£50
£299
£19.99
The Pinwheel
- Modern, reliable kid phones with built-in parent management
- Device is designed to grow with your child, to meet their experience and maturity level.
- You can create a contact safelist, monitor texts and calls and set schedules for when contacts and apps are available.
- No web browser or social media apps, but hundreds of other vetted apps available, which you can choose to add when your child is ready, including banking, Google Maps, Spotify and Citymapper.
- Inbuilt GPS locator
The Lite Phone II
- A premium, minimal phone designed to be used as little as possible
- Black and white ‘paper’ screen like a kindle, which emits no blue light
- A customisable menu which includes like: an alarm, calculator, calendar, directions
- Music player
- Podcasts
- No internet, social media, email or internet
- Currently only compatible in the UK with Vodafone, Giff Gaff and Three
Nokia 2660 Flip
- Texts and phone calls
- Very long-lasting battery
- Range of colours
- Bright, colourful display (non-pixelated text)
- Built-in FM radio, MP3 player and torch
- Snake (and Tetris but you need to pay for the full game)
- Single rear-facing camera (no selfies!)
Balance Phone
- A smartish phone that is designed to be distraction free, giving modern connectivity without addictive apps or websites
- Provides a fully controlled environment that limits content and is tamper-proof – no requirement for parents to check or update settings
- Contains functional apps such as messaging, banking, music, maps etc.
- Has an Internet browser which blocks social media, pornography, games, gambling and streaming sites
- No option to monitor or track – aimed at fostering trust and healthy tech habits
Nokia 105
- Talk, text and wireless FM radio
- Amazing battery life
- Torch and snake game