No. We are pro-childhood, not anti-tech. When technologies are used at the right time and in the right way, they can be very valuable. However, we believe that children do not need constant access to a smartphone and that they develop their technical skills better in a controlled and productive way – and at a later stage in their lives. It is about delay and balance, not bans.

No, we want to initiate a social shift. There is growing evidence regarding the negative impact of smartphones on children's development and well-being. However, government regulations are lagging far behind, and parents are often left to fend for themselves. We want effective youth protection measures online and in apps – as standard as they are in real life (alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc.). Since these do not currently exist, we are bringing parents together to take action and network. We want to make it easier for them to protect their children from the influences of owning a smartphone too early. 

Yes, of course. But how many parents buy their children a smartphone because "everyone else has one" – even though it doesn't actually feel right to them? We want to provide a collective response to this (often silent) peer pressure on children and on us parents. The Parental Pact makes it easier for families to delay the purchase together, so that parents feel supported in their decision.

We are aware of the irony, but the fact is that WhatsApp and traditional social media are central hubs for information today. When used consciously, they can be effective tools for bringing people together and spreading important messages. Adults can decide for themselves how and on which platforms they spend their time. And while we don't want to encourage more screen time, we also know that we have to meet people where they are – and do so as accessibly as possible. 

No, absolutely not. Technical competence is not acquired by owning a smartphone, but through competent and meaningful guidance. Technical understanding does not come from TikTok or endless scrolling, but from productive use: schoolwork, programming, and creative tools like music or video editing. The best way to prepare children for the digital world is to teach them critical thinking about technology, rather than granting them unlimited access via their own smartphone too early.

Education and access are not the same thing. And theory is no substitute for developmental milestones. We talk about driving or safe sex before teenagers practice them—but we don't hand them the car keys at age 10. Children can learn about technology without having uncontrolled access to the entire online world. That is why we recommend starting with a simple, basic mobile phone.

Research shows that WhatsApp groups do more harm than good. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation in the US has labeled WhatsApp as a "primary site for grooming, sextortion, child sexual abuse material [and] sex trafficking" (End Sexual Exploitation, 2022). However, if you really want your child to be part of a WhatsApp group, it can be accessed via a family computer.

Yes, with devastating consequences. We have all seen children and teenagers sitting next to each other, preferring online social interaction to face-to-face contact. Within 10 years, we have shifted from an offline childhood to an online or device-based childhood.

Talk, guide, and reset boundaries. Many parents regret giving their child a smartphone too early once they realize how much it strains their relationship. Parenting decisions change over time. That is good and right, but it must, of course, be explained. 

Unlike watching movies (ideally together) or playing board games, video games trigger a constant, unnaturally high flow of dopamine in the brain's reward center. Due to these sustained high doses of dopamine, the brain begins to reduce its own dopamine production to restore balance. The child then needs to play more and more to achieve the same feeling of well-being. This creates an addiction to ever-new and more exciting content.

The internet is not a toy. Every internet-enabled device carries risks. This isn't just about smartphones—but they are the focus of our movement because they are the primary gateway for children to the internet and social media, and thus to all the associated risks. Unlike other devices, smartphones are always within reach, making it easy for children to scroll online for hours. Laptops, iPads, and game consoles are harder to fit in our pockets, which is why their use is usually more intentional—yet they carry the same risks. Even if children don't carry them 24/7, they still need clear boundaries. We therefore always recommend supervision, parental controls (more on this below), and open conversations about safe and healthy usage. Ideally, these devices should be used side-by-side in a common area of the home.

We are a movement of parents for parents. While we welcome political and school-based initiatives, our goal is to empower parents and support them in dialogue with others in their community. 

Children learn to use digital devices at school. At home, it is therefore a good idea to be mindful of your own phone usage, especially in the presence of children, as they mirror us adults. We recommend having screen-free days and leaving your phone at home sometimes when you go out. What a sense of freedom!

No, because developing and maturing brains are more vulnerable—essentially "all gas and no brake." The prefrontal cortex in the brain is not fully developed until age 25 in men, and about two years earlier in women. Suggesting smartphones only after 25 is obviously unrealistic. However, we want to help our children learn to use these devices healthily while their internal "brakes" are still under construction. Maturation of the adolescent brain, 2013

The different age limits (14 and 16, respectively) reflect a tiered, development-oriented approach agreed upon by international parent movements. This is intended to ensure that digital responsibility grows gradually in line with maturity. At the same time, we take into account what is realistically achievable for many families.

Yes. The agreement is intended per child and must currently be signed individually for each child. This is necessary simply because we connect signing parents within a class with one another.

Some kindergartens are affiliated with a school, while others are not. Researching every kindergarten individually would have been too resource-intensive.  

Please just send a quick email to admin@smartphonefreiekindheit.ch. We will be happy to add them for you.

Don't worry – simply sign again with the correct details and then let us know.

Please register each child individually. 

Currently, no.

The many different applications grouped under the term AI are still very new, and there is a lack of in-depth experience regarding their impact on children, adolescents, and adults alike. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the most popular applications (especially chatbots and image generators) are not technologies that should be in children's hands without supervision. Cases have already been documented where chatbots have encouraged suicidal thoughts in minors or advised children to turn away from their parents. The virtual "undressing" or sexualization of harmless images via image generators has also already led to serious cases of abuse among teenagers. Reports of AI-generated images of child sexual abuse increased by 400% between 2024 and 2025. Most of these videos are extreme, depicting rape, sexual torture, and even bestiality (IWF 2025). As with social media, it is up to us parents not to give our children unfiltered AI access in their pockets via a smartphone, to guide them in their curiosity, and to protect them from premature exposure.

With a simple mobile phone designed specifically for calling and texting. This also protects children from constant distractions, such as when they are in traffic or playing with others. A basic phone is straightforward, safe, and perfect for making calls :)

If you really must, put an AirTag (Bluetooth instead of internet) in your child's bag and explain to them why you are doing it. A smartwatch would be an alternative. We don't think this is perfect either, but it is a better solution than smartphones. You might also ask yourself if you really need to know your child's location at all times. GPS tracking may feel reassuring, but it can undermine trust, delay independence, and create a false sense of security. 

It doesn't have to be that way. Sure, these things can make life more convenient. But is this convenience our top priority? It would also be more convenient if my son drove himself to gymnastics, but we don't think any parent would consider that...

Unfortunately, no. Parental controls are helpful, but they are not a complete safeguard. That old iPhone in the drawer might seem tempting – free, familiar, and lockable. But before you give it to your child, consider the big picture. Smartphones are designed to capture attention, and once your child has one, it becomes difficult to break the habit. Even with every conceivable restriction, there are loopholes. Furthermore, even the most tech-savvy parents struggle with parental controls because some apps require updates to hundreds of settings to make them age-appropriate. And even if the child's phone has parental controls, their friends' phones might not, meaning your children could still be sent inappropriate content.

You would be surprised how many tech industry executives and top managers from Silicon Valley do not allow their children to have their own smartphone or tablet until they are 14 – or even later. They are often very well aware of the negative aspects of their companies' products. Read more here.

Yes, but it has to be a "both-and" approach. Even so, we want to see more regulation of Big Tech and social media companies in particular. We advocate for stricter government policies and regulations. For the sake of future generations. Click here for the Social Media 16 petition

Yes. In March 2026, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark trial. The jury determined that both companies negligently designed their platforms, were aware of the dangers posed by these designs, failed to provide warnings, and caused significant harm to the plaintiff. The trial focused on design features such as infinite scrolling and notifications—specifically the platforms' design rather than their content. The jury concluded that the apps were intentionally built to be addictive and that the companies' leadership was aware of this. The verdict was based on internal documents that the corporations were required to disclose during the proceedings. You can find more information here: Meta’s Internal Research

No, but we are well aware of the peer pressure driven by smartphones and social media. Teenagers are nearly twice as likely to give up social media if their friends do the same—in a New Zealand study, 61% stated it would be easier with friends, compared to only 32% on their own (Public Health Communication Centre 2025). We believe that relationships should not be based on a constant competition for online status and likes. Children can stay in touch via phone calls and text messages, practice synchronous communication, and experience meaningful moments in real time. We once again encourage you to sign the Parental Pact. When your child knows that others in their class are also starting out with a basic phone, the pressure to have an expensive smartphone drops significantly. Together, we are working toward a new norm—one that prioritizes real relationships, for this generation and all those to follow.

Social media trigger the feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out). We should teach children and teenagers to cultivate the opposite – JOMO (joy of missing out), the pleasure of missing out on things. Because in a world where content is growing exponentially, it has become impossible not to miss anything.

The self-esteem of adolescents, especially between the ages of 10 and 14, is very fragile during this developmental phase. They are forming their identity, and social media use encourages them to focus heavily on their appearance and how others perceive and judge them. "Likes" and followers become the units of measurement for the recognition their self-esteem is built upon. It is therefore not surprising that adolescents are increasingly willing to post ever more extreme photos and take on riskier challenges to stay at the forefront of the competition for attention and followers. In some cases, this goes so far as to endanger their lives.

Online communities can be a valuable source of connection, especially for children who feel isolated at school. However, that doesn't mean they need constant access via a smartphone. Parents can help their children participate safely by setting up shared family devices, moderated platforms, and fixed online times for engaging with these communities—without opening the door to all the risks that come with uncontrolled smartphone use.

That is certainly a very good step. The often-cited "don't see, don't hear" principle sometimes sounds better than it works in reality. If adults struggle to ignore their smartphones, how are children supposed to manage? Teachers should be teaching, not playing smartphone police. A truly smartphone-free school means that smartphones either stay at home, are locked away, or are stored in a bag outside the classroom from the start of the school day until the end. This gives children undisturbed time to learn, focus, and socialize—without the temptation of addictive algorithms.

That shouldn't be the case. Schools can and should offer alternatives. Some secondary schools provide schedules or homework via smartphones, but that shouldn't force families into early smartphone use. Start a dialogue with the school and urge them to ensure that students without smartphones are not excluded. The school can provide schedules in paper form and ensure that homework is not dependent on a smartphone. Simply ask the school about this if it hasn't been addressed yet. 

Children gain access at school and gradually learn how to use devices as tools. We believe children need close supervision, especially regarding class chats. It is also worth questioning whether a class chat via Teams is really necessary as early as 5th grade. Furthermore, we believe that the increasingly sedentary nature of society, driven by schoolwork on PCs/iPads, starts too early and becomes entrenched. If children spend 3 hours working with digital devices at school and get another 2 hours of screen time after school, that’s 5 hours a day—about a third of their waking hours.

Do what is right for your child. The goal of this movement is not to take away important tools from children, but to help them develop in a healthy and free environment.