Digital Detox: what we learned from the challenge
Our March 2025 Digital Detox is now complete! We’ve reviewed the experiences of those who took part across different parts of Dallam school.
The 21-day challenge, led by the Year 7 team, invited not only students but also parents, carers and staff to reflect on their smartphone use and try reducing screen time. While Year 7 pupils were at the heart of the initiative, we were glad that many others across the school community chose to take part too.
Student responses
Some students reported noticeable shifts in their routine. One said they spent more time “reading and doing art”, while another mentioned volunteering: “I volunteered at Brownies.”
Improved sleep and concentration came up frequently. One pupil wrote simply, “I slept better.” Others said the challenge made them realise how often they reach for their phone.
Although several students described it as harder than expected, others said they would keep some of the changes. One wrote, “go to bed earlier instead of going on my phone,” and another advised peers to “spend less time on your phone.”
Parent involvement
Several families took the challenge together. One parent said: “My son and I did the challenge together. He started playing more music and chatting more. It was actually quite fun doing it as a team.”
Another noted: “He was more keen to join in with games or go for a walk with us.”
Some families plan to continue certain habits. One parent said, “We’re going to continue with this every evening, with no phones after 7pm.”
Staff feedback
One member of staff observed that participation varied, commenting, “They didn’t do it because it was optional,” but also reflected on the importance of education around tech use. Mr Ainsworth, Head of Year 7, noted, “Whilst technology presents opportunities to offer diverse learning experiences, enhances communication and promotes engagement and collaboration, parents, students and educators must be mindful of the potential drawbacks such as distraction, mental health impact so that students develop appropriate, healthy usage of smartphones and social media.
What’s next?
The trial provided useful insight into how students, families and staff relate to their devices. The school is now exploring ways to continue this conversation and support positive digital habits going forward.
