Esther Ghey has launched the Phone's Down Challenge, hoping to encourage children to play outdoors and have fun with their friends by going phone-free for a week during the summer holidays.
The challenge comes after Brianna Ghey, 16, was stabbed to death by two 15-year-olds, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who planned the attack on Snapchat. Esther has previously called on the government to protect children online.
"Before her death, Brianna was completely addicted to her phone and social media," Esther told the Mirror. "This challenge is a chance for us all to be more mindful of how much we use our phones and give kids the opportunity to break the habit and experience some of the summer holidays in the real world."
Teenagers take up the Phone's Down Challenge
Olivia Bell, 13, is among those taking part. She has deleted TikTok, Instagram and gaming app Roblox for seven days.
"I decided to take part because I'm on my phone too much, maybe 4-6 hours a day when I'm not at school," she said. "I'm currently on day three and I've found it quite difficult because I have to keep myself entertained."
"But, a friend came round yesterday [and] we had so much fun. There were no phones at all – we had such good conversations, played football, and practiced our scripts for a Matilda show we're both doing. When the challenge finishes, we're planning to do no phone Saturdays as a family."
Olivia's mother, Debbie, added: "It was lovely listening to them in the garden playing football – for me that's what summer is all about." Olivia is completing the quest with friend Charlotte, 13.
Screen time and new social media restrictions
Research by the Children's Commissioner found that one in five young people spend over seven hours a day on screens, easily exceeding 35 hours a week, and that screen time severely damages and disrupts children's sleep patterns.
Last month the government announced a landmark plan to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms by spring 2027. The policy will likely include an under-16 social media ban for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube; restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, including overnight app curfews from midnight to 6am and default-off personalised feeds; and strict age minimums of 18 for romantic AI companion chatbots.
