Greystones, overlooking the Irish Sea south of Dublin, is renowned for its scenic beauty and community spirit. Recently, it has gained attention for an innovative approach to child development: raising children without smartphones.
At a local youth cafe last month, CBS News posed this question to 11- and 12-year-olds about smartphone ownership. None raised their hand. A girl named Sienna noted her mother likely wouldn’t grant permission until she turns 22. Another boy, Sam, recalled his mother mentioning a brain scan showing no difference between those who scroll and those drinking alcohol.
Rachel Harper, principal at St. Patrick’s National School, observed rising anxiety levels among students post-COVID-19 return to in-person classes. She organized a community-wide survey that drew 800 responses from educators across the town, revealing 95% reporting heightened anxiety in their classrooms.
Harper launched “It Takes a Village,” aiming to reclaim childhood by encouraging parents not to give smartphones until middle school. The voluntary code proved effective for many, like Alex Dobbs, who felt it gave her strength and power to enforce boundaries.
Understanding that simply removing devices wasn’t enough, the community organized game nights at the youth cafe and provided alternative entertainment options. Dobbs even allowed her children to interact with pet lambs.
The initiative has now entered its third year, introducing a mentor program at St Patrick’s National School where older students teach younger ones about responsible phone use when appropriate. In the high school, phones are locked away during school hours, leading to improved focus and better sleep for both students and parents.
Children report feeling more connected with friends and less preoccupied with notifications. They emphasize the importance of outdoor play over screen time.”