Supporting Families to Wait on Smartphones

At the beginning of the year, Westminster adopted a zero-use policy for personal mobile and digital devices, to support learning wellbeing and positive social connection during the School day.  

To further support families navigating decisions around smartphones the School also introduced Wait Mate to the community, an initiative that encourages parents to hold off giving their child a smartphone. 

Recent research published in the journal Pediatrics, highlights why the timing of a child’s first smartphone matters.  

The study found that children who owned a smartphone by age 12 were more likely to experience depressive symptoms, insufficient sleep and obesity, compared with children who did not yet have a smartphone. 

Wait Mate is a parent led pledge that encourages families to work together to delay smartphones until at least high school. Families can choose the year that feels right for them such as Year 7, 8 or 9. 

Head of Westminster’s Preparatory School, Simon McKenzie said the initiative reflects a growing conversation among families about childhood technology use. 

“Many parents are thinking carefully about when the right time is for their child to have a smartphone which is why Westminster has engaged Wait Mate to help support families as they navigate these conversations and decisions,” Mr McKenzie said. 

“The initiative gives parents the opportunity to make that choice together so no one feels they are navigating it alone.” 

The Wait Mate pledge is designed to build that sense of community support. When 10 families within the same year level sign the pledge a private parent community is unlocked allowing families to connect with other like-minded families. 

Parents from more than 1900 schools across Australia have already joined the pledge and a number of Westminster families have also signed. 

Mr McKenzie said initiatives like Wait Mate help strengthen a community approach to supporting children as they grow and learn in a digital world. 

“By making this decision together families can reduce the pressure children sometimes feel to have a smartphone early,” he said.  

“It creates strength in numbers and helps shift the local norm so children can enjoy more time focused on friendships learning and play.” 

Families who would like to learn more about the initiative or add their name to the pledge can visit waitmate.org.au