Research & support
Facts & Figures
Smartphones and digital media are a complex topic that touches many areas of life. More and more studies show that these devices and apps are fundamentally changing childhood.
Children with a smartphone of their own
Smartphone ownership is widespread among 12- to 13-year-old children in Switzerland today.
Health risks
In a direct comparison, 12-year-olds with a smartphone of their own show a markedly higher risk than peers without one.
The later, the better
That is how far ahead children who only start using social media at 14 are of their classmates in mathematics and reading — those who began at 11 or 12.
Voices of supporters
Research shows that when children spend a lot of time on smartphones and social media before the age of 13, it can impair their development.
Our children need genuine attention, not screens. A smartphone-free childhood isn't a sacrifice; it’s a gift. I am grateful to the SfKS association for their commitment to this cause.
Just because smartphones are a part of most adults' daily lives, it doesn't mean they should be considered normal for children. Smartphones are not conducive to a developing brain.
Children don't need a constant flood of digital stimuli; they need genuine connection, guidance, and the space to develop their superpower: being human.
For most people, the most important emotional skills are developed during the first 16 years of life through complex, real-world interactions with family members, teachers, and friends.
Social media”—or more accurately, antisocial media—were designed from the outset to be addictive.
When I ask in workshops, "Who has ever seen something on the internet so disturbing that they couldn't sleep afterwards?", almost every child who already has their own smartphone raises their hand.
Smartphones are marvels of technology that offer many benefits, but they are also powerful, highly addictive tools that can have a devastating impact, especially on children.
Smartphones are a cruel experiment on children—that is why I support a smartphone-free childhood and the work of the association Smartphone-freie Kindheit Schweiz.
Many parents don't seem to realize that saying NO to their child's first smartphone will save them far more stress in the long run than saying YES will in the short term!
When it comes to smartphones, we accept that algorithms are designed to capture children's attention, amplify their emotions, and shape their behavior—all without any guardrails. Choosing not to give a child a smartphone isn't taking anything away from them. It is giving them the gift of freedom, health, and imagination.
Responsible use of digital media only comes about through educating parents, setting clear everyday rules, and communicating with children on an equal footing. I think it’s fantastic that the association is committed to this cause.
A childhood without a smartphone fosters healthy development and strong language skills, while preventing issues like poor concentration, declining academic performance, and exposure to traumatic content.
Wer in einem Workshop erlebt hat, was Zehn- und Elfjährige auf Smartphones, in Apps und mit KI bereits sehen und erfahren, diskutiert nicht mehr darüber, ob wir sie schützen müssen. Eltern brauchen Orientierung, Kinder brauchen zusätzlich klare Regeln und Schutzräume.
Children need social interaction for healthy development. Time on the smartphone reduces it, in both quantity and quality.
Smartphones are simply too harmful. We need flip phones for all children and all schools, and we need them now. I support all the parent movements spreading across the globe.
Parents, and mothers in particular, have stood up (...) and so this was an impressive example of what we can achieve together.
Voices of parents
Voices of children
Q&A
Our Frequently Asked Questions are designed to help raise awareness about this topic among parents, teachers, schools, policymakers, youth organizations, and clubs.
No, because developing and maturing brains are more vulnerable—essentially "all gas and no brake." For instance, the prefrontal cortex in the male brain doesn't fully develop until age 25, and about two years earlier in females. Waiting until 25 for a smartphone is obviously unrealistic. However, we want to help our children learn how to use these devices healthily while their internal "brakes" are still under construction.
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Via Twint (fees apply) or via e-banking (fee-free): Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, CH17 0830 7000 6708 2130 6
Good to know: As a non-profit association, we are tax-exempt and can issue donation receipts.
