Reclaiming Childhood in a Smartphone Age: An Interview with Jennifer Powers

Smartphones have quietly reshaped childhood over the past decade. What began as a tool for convenience has become a constant presence in children’s lives—bringing with it growing concerns about mental health, social development, and family dynamics. Few people understand this shift better than Jennifer Powers, Regional Leader for Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) and founder of the Unplugged Coalition.

In this conversation, Jennifer shares what she’s seeing on the ground with parents across the UK, why the movement to delay smartphones is accelerating, and where safer, “tech-light” alternatives like KARRI fit into this changing landscape.

A Movement Born From Real Life

Jennifer’s involvement in Smartphone Free Childhood began in early 2024, sparked by a moment many parents now recognize.

Her son, then in Year 6, came home from school after the Christmas break and said, “Mum, everyone got iPhones for Christmas.” Jennifer was shocked. Like many parents, she hadn’t realised just how early smartphones had become the norm.

“I suddenly understood that 10- and 11-year-olds were being dropped straight into WhatsApp, Snapchat, and group chats,” she explains. “There was time-wasting, but also bullying and unkind behaviour. It wasn’t the childhood I wanted for my son, or for children in the UK.”

That moment pushed her to get involved with Smartphone Free Childhood, a grassroots movement encouraging parents to delay giving children smartphones until at least age 14.

Since launching in February 2024, the movement has grown at remarkable speed:

• 350,000+ parents now support SFC
  
  

• 154,000+ children are signed up to the Parent Pact
  
  

• Schools across more than half the country are involved
  
  

“It’s an extraordinary moment of cultural change,” Jennifer says. “Parents are way ahead of politicians and regulators. They’re saying: "Enough is enough.”

Why Parental Controls Aren’t Enough

A common question Jennifer hears from parents is why they can’t simply give their child a smartphone with parental controls switched on.

Her answer is direct: parental controls are fragile.

“They’re like a plaster on the skin,” she says. “Children can Google how to bypass them and many do. It gives parents a false sense of security while leaving kids exposed to addiction and harmful content.”

While controls are better than nothing for families who already have smartphones in the home, Jennifer believes prevention is far more effective than restriction.

The Mental Health Evidence Parents Can’t Ignore

Jennifer often references research popularised by Jonathan Haidt and others, including findings from Sapien Labs (2023).

One statistic stands out to her:

The earlier a child gets their first smartphone, the worse their mental health outcomes as a young adult.

Rather than seeing this as discouraging, Jennifer finds it empowering.

“The inverse is true as well,” she says. “The later you give a child a smartphone, the better their chances of good mental health. That’s an incredibly hopeful message for parents.”

She also points to alarming patterns:

• Heavy smartphone use is linked to higher anxiety and depression
  
  

• Girls are disproportionately affected by social media and group chats
  
  

• Boys are more vulnerable to gaming addiction and exposure to pornography via smartphones
  
  

Against this backdrop, parents are increasingly asking not just whether to delay smartphones but what to give instead.

The Gap in the Market: Between Brick Phones and Smartphones

Parents want their children to stay connected but without opening the door to addictive apps and the open internet.

Jennifer outlines the current options:

• Brick phones: Reliable but lack GPS
  
  

• Smartwatches for kids: Useful, but often expensive and not universally liked
  
  

• Hybrid phones: Often too costly and too feature-rich for younger children
  
  

“The reality,” she says, “is that most parents want GPS, basic messaging, and calls, nothing more.”

This is where Jennifer sees strong potential for KARRI.

Why KARRI Resonates With Parents

Jennifer spends several days a week speaking to parents in schools and moderating SFC community groups. The message she hears repeatedly is clear: families are “crying out” for a safer, affordable alternative.

What excites her about KARRI Messenger:

• No screen, meaning no addictive design
  
  

• GPS tracking for parental peace of mind
  
  

• Simple messaging without internet access
  
  

• Affordable pricing, making it accessible beyond affluent families
  
  

“This is a safer-by-design product,” she says. “It has the benefits of a phone without the downsides of a smartphone.”

She also believes KARRI could support healthier social development by encouraging real-world friendships, helping kids plan playdates and stay in touch without being pulled into endless scrolling.

Smartphone Bans in Schools Are Changing Everything

Another major shift Jennifer highlights is the rise of smartphone bans in schools, particularly secondary schools.

She shares an example of a local parent with children in Years 7 and 9 whose school banned smartphones entirely from the premises.

“She couldn’t justify buying a smartphone or even a hybrid phone,” Jennifer explains. “But she still wanted to know where her daughters were and to send simple messages like ‘I’ve arrived’ or ‘I’ll be home in 20 minutes.’”

For families like this, KARRI-style devices aren’t just a preference, they’re becoming a necessity.

“As more schools go smartphone-free, demand for permitted devices is only going to grow.”

What Comes Next for Smartphone Free Childhood

Looking ahead, Jennifer sees rapid momentum:

• More schools adopting smartphone-free policies
  
  

• Greater public awareness of smartphone-related harm
  
  

• Rising demand for safer alternatives
  
  

She has also launched the Smartphone Free Schools Rating, giving schools clear standards for what “smartphone-free” really means.

“This market has burst into life,” she says. “It’s high-growth, and the companies that move quickly now could become category leaders.”

Parents Can’t Wait for Policy

While there is cross-party discussion in the UK Parliament, Jennifer is clear-eyed about government action.

“Parents can’t wait for legislation,” she says. “We have to take things into our own hands.”

That’s why she’s optimistic about the role of products like KARRI Messenger.

“We need real choices. Safer-by-design technology gives parents the ability to protect childhood—right now.”

Final Thought

At its core, Jennifer’s message is simple: delaying smartphones isn’t about deprivation. It’s about giving children the gift of time. Time to grow, play, build confidence, and form real-world relationships.

And as the Smartphone Free Childhood movement continues to grow, it’s clear that more families are ready to reclaim that time together.

Watch the full video here here.