Josh Webb, 12, was stoic at the prospect of his recently acquired phone vanishing into a drawer until he starts secondary school in September. “It’s not the end of the world for me. I know some in my class won’t like this at all. But we’re kids, what can we do?” He recalled the sense of exclusion when he had no phone while some friends did. “They’d be sharing videos with each other and I’d just be watching them.” Webb saw value in extending phone use restrictions across all ages. “It would be a good rule but I don’t think the adults would be happy.”

It's a good idea, but it's a bandaid, and the 12 year old knows why. Kids are monkey see monkey do, and as long as the adults (or older siblings) in their lives are on them like they are this amazing wonderful thing they can't get enough of, then the kid will learn that behavior.

Nikkie Barrie, who has an 11-year-old in primary school, said the impact was immediate. “This code makes such a difference to my life. If I know 90% of the class are in agreement, it makes my job easier in saying no.”

And that's why. People need boundaries with their kids. You can tell them no - if you're the one purchasing and making payments especially.