More than 200 families commit to delaying smartphones until age 14 and social media until 16
Smartphone Free Childhood Bermuda issued the following media release.
What began as a small WhatsApp conversation among concerned parents has grown into a community-wide movement. Smartphone Free Childhood Bermuda (SFC Bermuda) is encouraging families to sign a pledge to help regulate smartphone use for children, promoting healthier development, stronger peer support, and more intentional digital engagement.
Since launching the pledge in February, more than 200 parents have signed, signaling a growing appetite for clearer norms around children’s access to smartphones and social media. At the heart of the initiative is a simple, shared commitment: “We pledge to delay smartphones until at least age 14 and social media until age 16.”
The pledge, available at https://www.sfcbermuda.com/sign-the-pledge, reflects a shared desire among parents to support one another in setting boundaries that protect childhood while still embracing technology in age-appropriate ways.
“Many of us felt we were navigating this alone,” said Una Walsh-Taylor, a founding parent. “By coming together, we’re creating a supportive community and making it easier for families to navigate the world of smartphones without their children feeling left out.”
Across the world, countries including Australia, Denmark, Chile, and several European nations have introduced or strengthened restrictions on youth social media access and smartphone use in schools, reflecting growing concerns about mental health, focus, and online safety. Organizers of SFC Bermuda say that as a small and connected island community, Bermuda is uniquely positioned to take this growing body of research and apply it thoughtfully at a local level.
“Our goal isn’t to eliminate technology,” said Mike Walsh, a founding member of the group. “It’s to be intentional about when and how our children engage with it. Childhood is short. We want to protect space for play, independence, in-person friendships, and healthy development before introducing the pressures that come with smartphones and social media.”
To continue building awareness and connection, the organizers of SFC Bermuda are hosting two upcoming information sessions where parents can meet others and better understand the goals of SFC Bermuda.
- March 16, 2026, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Bermuda High School
- March 19, 2026, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Bermuda High School
- Anyone interested in attending can rsvp at info@sfcbermuda.com
- Parents interested in signing the pledge or learning more can visit www.sfcbermuda.com.
About Smartphone Free Childhood Bermuda
Smartphone Free Childhood Bermuda (SFC Bermuda) is a grassroots, parent-led community initiative formed in 2025 by parents seeking to create healthier norms around children’s use of smartphones and social media. SFC Bermuda is not a registered charity or political organization. It is a voluntary network of parents committed to sharing research, hosting information sessions, and building peer support through a collective pledge. The group’s focus is on education, community dialogue, and empowering families to make informed decisions that support children’s mental health, development, and wellbeing.
