Research from a new Channel 4documentary shows just how bad mobile phones can be for children in terms of their mood and sleep patterns.
Matt and Emma Willis front Swiped on Channel 4 and they say the results of experiment with smartphones are ‘beyond worrying’
Two part series Swiped tackles the timely issue of the impact of smartphones on children’s behaviour.
Hosts Matt and Emma Willis joined forces with The Stanway School in Colchester and challenge a group of Year 8 pupils – and themselves – to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days.
This experiment, conducted in conjunction with The University of York, sees the 26 pupils undergo a series of tests with experts meticulously monitoring their behavioural changes over the 21 days, repeating the tests at the end of the three weeks to conclude what effects giving up your phone really does have on your brain including sleep and attention. 1000 pupils also surveyed about phone habits.
The tests included a series of cognitive tasks, testing attention, reaction times and memory. Pupils also participated in questionnaires covering sleep, anxiety, depression, mood, stress, loneliness, enjoyment and social connectedness. The results are revealed in the second episode of the series and include:
- Children reported getting, on average, one more hour of sleep each night – and reported falling asleep more quickly. This was verified by wearable sleep trackers.
- Children reported a 17% reduction in feelings related to depression and an 18% reduction in feelings related to anxiety, feeling generally less upset and nervous. Children’s heart rate variability also improved (a positive sign of wellbeing)
- They didn’t feel any less socially connected during the ban, but instead commented on having richer interactions with their parents and friends.
- 17% of children were on their phones for 6 hours + per day – more time than is spent in school.
Show presenters Matt and Emma Willis said: “The statistics on children’s smartphone use are beyond worrying so the time feels absolutely right for the issue to be addressed. We really hope the results of the experiment can spark change and have a lasting and positive impact on everyone
Posing as 13 year olds on TikTok with new phones, hosts Emma and Matt, were sent suicide content and violence against women within 4 hours of starting scrolling on a new account.
Shocked Emma says in the programme: “It’s just not what I thought it would was. I know you hear stories about what can be found on there but finding and searching for something is very different from it being served to you the first time you go on there as a 13 year old.”
Matt later says some of the things kids have access to on their phones is “terrifying”.
Speaking within the programme, Dr Rangan Chatterjee said: “I think there’s no question at all, we’re giving children smartphones far too young. As a doctor I have seen time and time again that teenagers and adolescents have their mental health problems get significantly better when they cut out the smartphone. I think we as parents are going to have to help our children reset their relationship with technology.
In terms of some common principles, I would suggest adopting screen-free mealtimes and no technology in bedrooms.”
Watch the documentary with your kids here:
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/swiped-the-school-that-banned-smartphones
