Mayo parents to hold Smartphone Free Childhood information evening
Low mental wellbeing scores increased significantly among heavier social media users.
Parents and guardians from across Achill and beyond are invited to attend the Achill Smartphone Free Childhood information evening on Monday, February 23 at 7.30pm in Ted’s Bar (function room), Cashel, Achill. The free community event will bring together national voices, local experience and frontline insight to help families navigate the challenges of smartphones, social media and online safety.
Organised by a newly formed group of 20 parents from across the parish, the evening aims to provide practical guidance, reassurance and a supportive space for discussion. Speakers will address key concerns facing families today and offer constructive ideas for parents at all stages of the journey, including those whose children already have smartphones or access to social media.
Many parents say they feel overwhelmed or unsure how to respond to the rapid growth of technology in children’s lives. The Achill Smartphone Free Childhood group believes that when communities come together, positive change becomes possible.
“We are a parent-led group whose aim is to support our children’s wellbeing and help them enjoy a safe, balanced, and happy childhood - free from the pressures of smartphones, social media, and age-inappropriate content," says the group.
Speakers on the evening will be Deputy Keira Keogh, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, who will discuss the national conversation around young people and smartphones; Planet Youth Mayo coordinator Emmet Major will present insights from youth research, while Community Garda Shane Nallen will highlight online safety issues seen locally. Hilary O’Connor will share her experience of a community-led smartphone free childhood initiative in Westport.
Local and national data highlight strong parental concern. A survey conducted by the group in Achill before Christmas found that 93% of parents do not believe children in national school should have a smartphone. Recent Planet Youth Mayo research among 1,397 Transition Year and Fifth Year students across 29 schools found that 78% of young people had a smartphone by age 12, with 83% keeping it in their bedroom at night and 67% spending three hours or more daily on social media. Low mental wellbeing scores increased significantly among heavier social media users.
Nationally, a Fine Gael Online Safety survey of more than 2,200 parents found that 89% believe social media should be off limits until age 16, while 83% say they lack sufficient tools or information to protect their child online.
Attendance is free, and the evening will include time for questions and open discussion. For more information, see Achill Smartphone Free Childhood on Facebook.
