Parents in Köniz, Switzerland, are actively pursuing community-wide agreements to restrict smartphone access and social media use for their children. This initiative, spearheaded by local parent councils, aims to establish common guidelines, suggesting children should not own smartphones before upper secondary school and avoid social media until ninth grade.
Key Takeaways
- Köniz parents want children to get smartphones only from upper secondary school.
- Social media accounts are proposed to be restricted until ninth grade.
- A local survey indicates up to 90 percent parental support for these measures.
- The initiative seeks to counter "silent pressure" felt by individual families.
Community Action for Digital Well-being
The push for stricter digital boundaries comes after schools in Köniz already implemented a ban on mobile phones earlier in 2025. Despite this, a recent survey among parents in the community revealed that nearly 90 percent still see a need for further action. This high level of concern highlights a broader societal issue regarding children's digital exposure.
Christoph Inauen, a father of two and a member of the parent council, emphasized the collective nature of the problem. He stated,
"As a family alone, you are helpless. The problem is societal and must be tackled together."This sentiment resonates with many parents who feel isolated in managing their children's digital lives.
Digital Age Fact
Brain researchers highlight that childhood is a sensitive developmental phase. The still-forming brain during this period faces significant risks from excessive digital consumption, impacting crucial development stages.
Addressing Parental Pressure and Development Risks
Sandra Keller, a Köniz resident, shared her experience. Her son, a fourth-grader, does not yet have a smartphone. However, she and her husband feel a "silent pressure" as more of his peers acquire devices. This situation often leads parents to question their own rules, wondering if they are too strict or if their child might miss out socially.
The parent council's initiative directly addresses this pressure. They visited parent evenings for third, fourth, and fifth-grade classes to introduce their voluntary guidelines. These guidelines propose two main points:
- No personal smartphone ownership before seventh grade.
- No personal social media accounts until ninth grade.
An anonymous vote was conducted to gauge parental willingness to adopt these standards within their families. The response was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong desire for a unified approach.
Overwhelming Support for New Guidelines
The initiative has garnered significant support. Approximately 80 percent of parents expressed readiness to ensure their child does not own a smartphone before seventh grade. An additional 10 percent agreed with the goal but noted their child already had a phone or was soon to receive one. Only 10 percent opposed a coordinated effort.
Support for restricting social media accounts until ninth grade was even higher, reaching 90 percent. Christoph Inauen noted,
"The greatest response we feel is gratitude from parents."Tobias Löhrer, another co-initiator and father of two primary school children, added, "The initiative is pushing on open doors."
Global Context
The discussion in Köniz mirrors a global trend. Australia banned social media for under-16s in November 2024, followed by Denmark in November 2025. Denmark, a leader in school digitalization, reversed its stance to protect younger users.
The Role of Brain Development and Social Interaction
Barbara Studer, a brain researcher at the University of Bern, emphasizes the critical needs of children during their developmental phase. She states,
"Children in the developmental phase primarily need relationships, interactions, laughter, play, music, movement, nature, etc."These elements are vital for healthy cognitive and emotional growth, and excessive screen time can detract from them.
The parent council's efforts align with these scientific insights. By delaying smartphone and social media access, they aim to preserve a period of childhood focused on real-world interactions and foundational development.
Implementation and Future Outlook
The initiators plan to implement their standards through a networking approach. An online platform will allow interested parents to see which other families are committing to the guidelines. This system aims to reduce the feeling of isolation for children without phones.
This approach helps parents reassure their children. They can say, "You are not the only one without a phone." This collective commitment is crucial in combating the "silent pressure" that individual families often face. The parents in Köniz are convinced that only through a united front can they effectively navigate the challenges of smartphones and social media in their children's lives.