What & Why

1. Understanding JomUnplug Delaying Smartphone Parent Pact

Q: Didn't the Malaysian Prime Minister recently mentioned plans to bar children below 16 years old from social media?

A: That is an incredible step forward for our nation. But we do not stop short of waiting for our government to act.

Policies take time to form and the ministry is still exploring the feasibility to make this possible. (Also see no.5 below on Policies). Keep in mind policies can change from time to time. As parents, let us lead and set high standards and boundaries within our own home to ensure the immediate well being of our children.

Q: Are you anti-tech?

A: No, we’re pro-childhood.

This movement isn’t anti-tech – we love technology when it’s used at the right time, in the right way. We just believe that kids don’t need 24/7 access to a smartphone, and that they’re better off developing tech skills in a controlled and productive way. It’s about balance, not banning.

Q: Shouldn’t this be a personal choice for each family?

A: Yes – but for those that want to delay, we need to coordinate

No one is forcing anyone to do anything. But many parents want to hold off on smartphones and feel pressured into giving in because ‘everyone else has one’. The Parent Pact just makes it easier for families to delay together so that parents feel supported in their decision.

Q: What’s the goal, are you trying to ban smartphones?

A: No – we’re working to change the culture

Our goal isn’t a ban; it’s a culture shift. Right now, tech companies profit from selling intentionally addictive and unsafe products to kids, with little accountability. Government regulation hasn’t caught up, leaving parents to navigate this alone. We want to see real safeguards in place, but in the meantime, we’re bringing families, schools, and communities together to take action and give kids the chance to grow up without the pressures of algorithms and constant connectivity.

Q: Why is JomUnplug on social media like WhatsApp and Instagram, isn’t that hypocritical?

A: We’re adults – and we have to fight fire with fire

We get the irony, but the reality is that social media – when used with intention – can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and spreading important messages. Adults can (mostly!) decide how to use their time, and while we’re not here to encourage more screen time, we also know that to reach people, we have to meet them where they are.

There’s a big difference between adults using social media to organise and campaign for something they believe in and kids being drawn into endless scrolling by addictive algorithms. Our goal isn’t to ditch technology altogether – it’s to help create a healthier balance, especially for kids who aren’t yet equipped to navigate these platforms safely.

2. The tech & future readiness concerns

Q: I want my child to be tech literate, won’t I be holding them back if they don’t have a smartphone?

A: Tech literacy isn’t achieved through smartphone use.

Being tech-savvy isn’t about scrolling through TikTok – it’s about knowing how to use technology productively. Kids can build digital skills through schoolwork, coding programs, and creative tools like music or video editing. The best way to prepare kids for the digital world is teaching them to think critically about technology, not just giving them unlimited access to it.

Q: Don’t we just need to teach our kids to use these devices responsibly?

A: Education and access aren’t the same thing.

We teach young people about safe sex and how to drive long before they actually do these things on their own. In the same way, we can help children understand technology without handing them a smartphone from an early age.

Because the truth is, no matter how much we try to teach them, kids simply aren’t wired to use smartphones ‘responsibly’. Their brains are still developing, and let’s be honest, even most adults struggle to resist. That’s why instead of giving kids access to an entire digital world in their pocket, we recommend starting with a simple phone.

Q: What about iPads, laptops and gaming devices, do they count?

A: Any internet-enabled device needs careful monitoring

This isn’t just about smartphones – but they are our focus because they are the main way kids access the internet and social media, and all the risks they contain. Unlike other devices, smartphones are always within reach, making it easy for kids to spend hours scrolling every day. And research is clear: the more time kids spend online, the greater the impact on their mental wellbeing.

Laptops, iPads, and gaming devices don’t fit in our pockets, meaning their use tends to be more intentional – but they still come with the same addictive features, toxic content, and risks. So while they may not be in kids’ pockets 24/7, they still need boundaries. We’d always recommend supervision, parental controls, and open conversations about safe and healthy use.

3. Safety & parental concerns

Q: How will I keep in touch with my child on their way to and from school?

A: Try a basic phone.

We get it – every family wants to keep their child safe. But here’s the thing: a basic phone (calls and texts only) does the job without exposing them to the risks of social media and the internet.

In fact, a smartphone might actually make their journey less safe. Since smartphones became the norm, child muggings has soared. Then there’s the distraction factor: 1 in 5 secondary school students who use their phone while walking have been hit or had a near miss with a car, and the vast majority (84%) admit to looking at their phone near roads. A basic phone keeps things simple. And safe.

Q: I want to track my kid’s location.

A: Try an AirTag

If you want to be able to see your child’s whereabouts, a bluetooth device such as an AirTag or GPS tracker, or a smart watch with inbuilt tracking, is a good option. They’re not perfect, but they’re cheaper than smartphones, less likely to be stolen, and don’t come with the risks of social media and screen addiction.

Before you buy a tracking device, ask yourself if you really need to know your kid’s location all the time. GPS tracking might seem reassuring, but it can erode trust, delay independence, and create a false sense of security. It tells you where your child is but can’t protect them from real risks. Many parents find that a basic phone (calls and texts only) and teaching real-world safety skills are better ways to keep kids safe while building their confidence and independence.

Q: Can’t we just use an old smartphone with parental controls?

A: Parental controls help, but they’re not a magic fix

That old smartphone in your drawer might seem like an easy solution – free, familiar, and lockable. But before you hand it over, consider the bigger picture. Smartphones are designed to capture attention at all costs, and once your child has one, it’s tough to step back.

Even with every restriction in place, there are loopholes. A 2024 Parentkind survey said 47% of children with parental controls on their smartphone had bypassed them. Kids find workarounds and no setting can stop your child from endlessly lobbying you for “just one app.” That’s why many families find it simpler to skip smartphones altogether and start with a basic phone – one that does what kids actually need (calls and texts) without pulling them into an addictive digital world.

4. Social life & emotional wellbeing

Q: If my kid doesn’t have a smartphone, will they be socially isolated?

A: No, their friendships will stay rooted in real connection

We get it – the peer pressure is real. But what we hope to achieve is children being rooted in real connection, rather than the constant competition of online status and likes. They can still keep in touch through calls and texts, but the meaningful moments happen face-to-face – leading to deeper, more genuine relationships.

We know it can feel hard for your child, which is why doing this as a group via the Parent Pact makes all the difference. If your child knows there are others in their class who are also getting a simple phone first, the pressure for a full fat iPhone is massively reduced. Research shows that it takes 25% of a group to create a tipping point, where social norms start to shift.Together, we’re creating a new norm – one that puts real connection first, for this generation and all those that follow.

5. School policies & enforcement

Q: Our school already has a phone policy. Isn’t that enough?

A: Policies don’t always work.

Many schools say they have a phone ban, but in reality, kids are still carrying them – they just aren’t supposed to look. This ‘no see, no hear’ approach sounds good on paper, but let’s be honest: if adults struggle to ignore their phones, how can we expect kids to? Teachers end up playing phone police, while students sneak their TikTok fix in the toilets.

A true smartphone-free school means phones are either left at home, locked away, or stored in pouches from ‘bell to bell’. That way, kids get six solid hours to focus, learn, and socialise – without the pull of addictive algorithms in their pockets.

Q: My school says my child needs a smartphone to access the school homework

A: Your school can – and should – offer an alternative

Some schools run timetables or set homework via smartphones, but this shouldn’t force families into early smartphone adoption. You have the right to push back and ask the school to ensure that students without smartphones aren’t excluded. Many schools have already adapted by returning to paper timetables and making sure homework isn’t reliant on a phone. If your school hasn’t yet, it’s worth starting the conversation.

6. Special situations & exceptions

Q: My older kid already has a phone – how do I tell my younger one no?

A: Set new family rules & agree a plan

Lots of families run into this. If your older child already has a phone but you don’t want to give one to your younger kid, the best thing to do is be upfront about why. Parenting decisions change as we learn more – just like if past generations had let their kids smoke and then realized how harmful it was, they wouldn’t keep doing it just to be “fair.”

Instead of making it about fairness, involve your older child in the conversation. They’ve probably seen the downsides of having a phone early, and they might even agree that waiting a bit is a good idea. You can also set new family rules around tech use that apply to everyone, like limiting screen time or having phone-free zones.

Creating a family tech plan can help set expectations, so your younger child knows when and how they’ll eventually get a device.

Final thought

JomUnplug isn’t about rejecting technology — it’s about reclaiming childhood.

We believe families deserve real choices, not pressure. When parents stand together, we make it easier for everyone to delay smartphones — so no child has to feel like the odd one out.

This isn’t about saying no to tech — it’s about saying yes to a childhood full of real connections, creativity, and freedom. And the more of us who choose to wait, the more normal it becomes. We’re in this together.

This FAQ is revised and adapted from Smartphone Free Childhood UK website. JomUnplug! is completely independent, self-governing and self-organised. SFC UK does not support any actions of these independent groups and is not involved in the establishment, administration or management of international groups outside its jurisdiction in the United Kingdom.