#SmartphoneFreeChildhood: Why Safe Digital Skills Matter — and How Liaura Offers a Powerful Alternative
- Liaura App
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
The Debate Around Smartphone Free Childhood
Across the UK, the #SmartphoneFreeChildhood campaign is gaining momentum. Schools, parents, and policymakers are questioning whether giving children smartphones too early is harming their development. Research supports these concerns: Ofcom reports that 60% of UK children aged 8–11 already own a smartphone, while the Royal College of Psychiatrists links early social media use to rising rates of anxiety and low self-esteem among young people. We think it's time for better platforms.
But while bans and restrictions may reduce exposure to harmful content, they don’t solve a deeper problem: children still need to develop digital skills to thrive in an uncertain future.
Why Banning Smartphones Isn’t Enough
It’s tempting to think the answer is to keep children offline until they are older #SmartphoneFreeChildhood. Yet digital technology is now part of every aspect of life — from education to social interaction to future careers. Denying access entirely risks leaving children unprepared, widening the digital skills gap.
A report by the World Economic Forum emphasises that digital literacy and online collaboration are essential skills for the future workforce. If children only learn to avoid technology, they miss opportunities to develop resilience, creativity, and safe digital habits.
This is where guardian-managed platforms become critical.
Introducing Liaura: A Safe Social and Learning Platform
Liaura is the first safeguarding-first digital ecosystem for families with children aged 6–13. Unlike open social platforms designed for adults, Liaura is built around safety, oversight, and positive outcomes:
Guardian-managed access: parents create accounts, oversee connections, and see everything their children do.
Closed social networks: no open internet, no strangers, and no exposure to harmful content.
Interactive “Worlds” like Eco Island Rescue (sustainability-themed collaboration game) and Just Chill (a science-backed meditation space).
Liaura Journeys: expert-led short courses teaching money confidence, wellbeing, cultural appreciation, and more.
This combination allows children to connect and learn in ways that mirror real online interaction — but in a safe, supervised environment.
BBC Sussex Feature: Liaura’s Voice in the Debate
At 8:08 on BBC Radio Sussex, Liaura’s founder Hugh Shepherd shared why he created the platform:
“As a child, I saw first-hand how unsafe digital spaces can be. Parents feel powerless, children are exposed to risks, and existing platforms aren’t built for them. Liaura is designed to close that gap — offering safe connection and real skills for the future.”
The feature highlighted Liaura as a credible alternative in the current debate, bridging the divide between banning smartphones and leaving children exposed to unsafe digital spaces.
Listen back here (timestamp 8:08):
The Future: Safer Digital Pathways
The conversation shouldn’t just be about taking devices away — it should be about creating healthy pathways into digital life.
Children need practical experience of connection, creativity, and responsibility online.
Parents need visibility and control to safeguard without resorting to bans.
Schools and communities need trusted tools to embed digital resilience alongside academic and life skills.
This is the vision Liaura is pioneering. By offering a safe social alternative, it allows families to balance the need for protection with the need for preparation.
Closing Call to Action
The Smartphone Free Childhood campaign raises an urgent question: if not smartphones, then what? Liaura provides an answer — a supervised, values-driven digital space where children can connect, play, and grow.
We invite parents, schools, and partners to be part of this change. Together, we can create a brighter digital future for the next generation.
👉 Try Liaura: liaura.app
