More than 70 South Australian schools join push to delay smartphones for children

M
ore than 70 schools across South Australia have signed up to take part in a new program encouraging parents to delay giving smartphones to their children, as concerns continue to grow about the impact of screen use on young people’s health and wellbeing.

The Wait Mate initiative, backed by $6.5 million in state government funding, will be rolled out across public and private schools over the next four years. The program aims to help parents connect with each other and commit to delaying smartphone access for primary school-aged children.

The initiative has already attracted strong interest ahead of its broader rollout next term, with schools including Gilles Street Primary School preparing to host parent sessions.

The program is modelled on the American campaign Wait Until 8th, which encourages families to postpone smartphones until at least eighth grade. Parents who take part in Wait Mate are encouraged to make a shared pledge with other families in their school community.

South Australia’s Education Minister Lucy Hood said the government wanted to support parents who were feeling pressure to introduce devices earlier than they would like.

“We are supporting parents to stand together to give their kids a smartphone-free childhood,” she said.

The announcement comes alongside growing international research examining the effects of early smartphone use. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, involving more than 10,000 adolescents, found children who owned smartphones by age 12 were more likely to experience depression, sleep problems and obesity. Researchers reported poorer outcomes among children who received devices at younger ages.

The South Australian Government said the program would include school presentations, online resources for regional communities and take-home information packs for parents. Primary schools will receive the program first during 2026 and 2027, followed by high schools from 2027 to 2028.

Wait Mate South Australia director Emily Harrison said many families were looking for support in managing the social pressure surrounding smartphones.

“The response from schools across South Australia has been so strong, and it’s clear parents are ready for this,” she said.

The state government has linked the initiative to broader efforts aimed at reducing young people’s exposure to social media and online harms. South Australia previously introduced a mobile phone ban in public high schools and has advocated nationally for tighter age restrictions on social media platforms.

Supporters of delayed smartphone access argue it can help reduce distractions, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content, while encouraging more face-to-face social interaction among children.

At the same time, some education and digital wellbeing experts caution that technology itself is not inherently harmful and say the focus should also include teaching children how to use digital platforms safely and responsibly. Others note smartphones can offer social connection, learning opportunities and safety benefits for families, particularly in regional areas.

Principal Angela Van Enkhuyzen said parents at Gilles Street Primary School had welcomed the program.

“We believe it’s important that children of this age learn about respectful relationships and boundaries in a face-to-face environment,” she said.

Expressions of interest for schools wanting to host Wait Mate sessions will remain open throughout Term 2, with the first round of participating schools expected to begin sessions in Term 3.