Smartphones are an integral part of modern life. The issue is not about completely banning them but about cultivating a culture of responsible technology use among children. In this regard, Bournside School’s approach — encouragement, alternative activities, and positive outcomes — can serve as an example for Uzbekistan’s education system.
Bournside Secondary School in Gloucestershire, England, launched an unusual experiment this year: living without smartphones for one school term. The initiative aimed not only to limit screen time in class but also at home, with the goal of fostering a healthy relationship with technology among youth.
Twelve-year-old Louis said he used to spend a lot of time playing games and watching videos on his phone before and after school. “Sometimes scary videos would pop up,” he said. Now he plays football more with his brother.
Eleven-year-old Benjamin said that after YouTube was removed from his phone, he spent several hours in the garden with his sisters for the first time. “My sleep schedule has also improved,” said another student, Jemima.
According to the school administration, the initiative has had a positive impact not only on children but also on their parents. Bournside School’s safeguarding lead, Sally Liz, personally tried the experiment — living a whole school term without a smartphone.
“It’s not about banning the phone, but teaching children to have a healthy relationship with technology,” she said.
The school supports the transition by offering a timetable that minimizes the need for technology. Students generally don’t need to use smartphones until after year 10.
Since February, Bournside has also been working with nearby primary schools to recommend that parents not buy phones for their children until after year 10.
In recent years, smartphone use among schoolchildren in Uzbekistan has sharply increased. This often leads to health concerns, reduced classroom focus, and greater exposure to harmful content.
In major cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Andijan, even very young children have personal phones. Constant social media activity, sleep disruption, and distractions in class are drawing attention from experts.
The experience of Bournside School shows that if school leadership, parents, and society work together, it is possible to protect children from harmful content and positively influence their psychological and social development. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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