“...'it probably wasn't okay for me to have a phone at such a young age'.” - Lucy Smith, Founder & Director, Inclusive Change - about her daughter

Unmasking the Silent Threat: How Early Mobile Phone Use Impacts Children's Mental Health and Digital Safety

On Monday 15th of January 2024, Lucy Smith - founder and director of Inclusive Change spoke with John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol, to discuss the impact that mobile phone use has on children's mental health and digital safety.

Lucy recently had an exclusive interview published with the MailOnline detailing her teenage daughter's emotional struggle with mobile phone use.

Lucy and John share their personal experiences, shedding light on the alarming statistics surrounding teenagers' addiction to social media. Lucy paints a picture of her daughter's struggle, describing her as being in a "very dark place" consumed by endless scrolling and unhealthy content. Similarly, John's daughter faced online bullying that deeply affected her. It becomes clear that mobile phones, like Pandora's Box, bring both positive and negative aspects into our lives.

The question arises: how can we navigate the damaging effects of owning a phone on our mental health? If you find yourself spending more time in the virtual world than in reality, feeling drained and disconnected, there is a solution. Lucy has crafted a guide to decluttering your digital life. By simplifying your usage and setting boundaries, you can regain control and restore balance. The guide includes a 30 day journal to help you step away from the overwhelming world of social media and reclaim your offline life. In a time where mobile phones dominate our daily routines, it's crucial to address the silent threat they pose to our well-being and take proactive steps towards a healthier relationship with technology.

To listen to the full conversation, go here.

Digital Wellbeing for Young People

Join in - book a seat at The Castle Conference, Bristol

With the internet and social media playing such a huge part in the modern age, and being readily available to young people, these topics are crucial to understand and learn about, especially if there’s a young person in your life.

If you want to take this conversation further and get involved, the Castle Conference is so important, especially when it comes to digital wellbeing. So make sure to book a seat at [https://icaw-cic.com/] - standard tickets are just £9.00.

Set in Leigh Court on Thursday the 25th of April 2024 from 9:00am to 4:30pm, the Castle Conference is sure to be another informative and insightful event for all involved.

“Come and join us by being at the forefront of our thought leadership. Let's come together to influence and inspire the way that we digitally safeguard the future generation of young people." - Andy Jarman – Director of Digital Safety – CIC