Our new Grantee, »Smarter Start ab 14«, advocates for a later introduction to smartphones and social media for children. Rather than relying on individual decisions, the organisation brings parents together to counter the social pressure toward early smartphone use. In this interview, co-founder Verena Holler explains how the initiative connects parents, raises awareness of the issue, and helps children develop digital literacy without owning a smartphone.
1. . What arguments do you use to convince parents that a basic mobile phone without internet access is the better choice?
Verena Holler: The phrase »There is no shallow end on the internet« helps parents understand what is at stake. Giving a child a smartphone means giving them permanent access to the adult digital world. And vice versa, the entire world gains access to our child.
There is no effective child and youth protection in the digital world. There is no safe, protected space designed specifically for children. Instead, children are exposed to a wide range of risks: content that overwhelms them, constant upward social comparison, stress from feeling they must always be online, addictive design features, gambling-like mechanisms, sexual harassment, bullying, manipulative AI, and more.
In addition, time spent on a smartphone inevitably comes at the expense of important developmental tasks. The issue is not only what children experience while using a smartphone, but also what they are not doing during that time—what they are missing out on.
The key is a shift in perspective. This is not about taking something away from children; it is about giving them time—for friendships, physical activity, and healthy development. And when it comes to staying in touch, a simple basic mobile phone is entirely sufficient. That is why we believe it is the better option for children. Many parents tell us: »That is actually exactly what we want.« What is often missing is the confidence that they are not the only ones making that choice.
2. Why is a collective approach more effective than appealing to individual parents?
Verena Holler: Because this is not an individual problem. Even if my own child does not have a smartphone, they can easily encounter everything through friends and their devices. It is a bit like second-hand smoke: I am exposed to what others consume, whether I want to be or not. At the same time, many parents feel they have no real choice if »everyone else« already has a smartphone. They do not want their child to become an outsider, so they give in to the pressure.
Collective agreements such as our »Smarter Start Parent Pact« in primary schools or our »Smarter Start Classes« in Years 5 and 6, as well as the connections parents build through our more than 1,900 Smarter Start parent groups across Germany, address exactly this dilemma. When many parents decide together to wait a little longer before introducing smartphones and social media, the pressure disappears. Saying »No« on your own is difficult. Saying »Not yet« together is easy.
3. How do children and young people respond? Does a later start actually work?
Verena Holler: Our experience shows that it does—and it works particularly well when parents are aligned and children start later together. Children are strongly influenced by their peer group. If the people around them do not yet have smartphones or social media, they do not feel that they are missing out. It simply becomes normal that you get a smartphone later—just as you are only allowed to drive, vote, or drink alcohol at a later age.
What is important is that not having a smartphone does not mean children should avoid digital media altogether. Quite the opposite. The time before they own a device should be used to gradually introduce them to digital media, teach them digital literacy, and help them develop healthy habits. Our motto is: »Smart first. Then phone.« A later and guided introduction gives children valuable years for sleep, play, physical activity, friendships, self-regulation, and neurological development. More real life—before being permanently online.
Further information about our new partnership with Smarter Start at 14 can be found here.
