EXCLUSIVE: Esther Ghey, whose girl Brianna was murdered by two teens, is challenging youngsters to put their phones down for a week this summer and play outdoors with friends
She’s tirelessly called on the government to protect kids online after her girl Brianna’s brutal murder – but now Esther Ghey is urging youngsters to take the matter into their own hands – by going phone free for a week this summer holidays.
Esther hopes her Phone’s Down Challenge will encourage children to play outdoors and have fun with their friends. She told the Mirror: “Before her death, Brianna was completely addicted to her phone and social media.
“This challenge is a chance for us all to be more mindful of how much we use our phones and give kids the opportunity to break the habit and experience some of the summer holidays in the real world.”
Brianna, 16, was stabbed to death by 15-year-old’s Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who planned the horror on social media app Snapchat.
Among young people inspired to take part in the challenge is Olivia Bell, 13, who has deleted TikTok, Instagram and gaming app Roblox for seven days. She said: “I decided to take part because I’m on my phone too much, maybe 4-6 hours a day when I’m not at school. I’m currently on day three and I’ve found it quite difficult because I have to keep myself entertained.
“But, a friend came round yesterday [and] we had so much fun. There were no phones at all – we had such good conversations, played football, and practiced our scripts for a Matilda show we’re both doing. When the challenge finishes, we’re planning to do no phone Saturdays as a family.”
Olivia’s mum Debbie added: “It was lovely listening to them in the garden playing football – for me that’s what summer is all about.” Olivia is completing the quest with pal Charlotte, 13, who said: [TO COME]
It comes as research by The Children’s Commissioner found one in five young people spend over seven hours a day on screens, easily exceeding 35 hours a week. It also showed screen time severely damages and disrupts children’s sleep patterns.
The government last month announced a landmark plan to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms by spring 2027. The policy will likely include an under-16 social media ban for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, including overnight app curfews from midnight to 6am and default-off personalised feeds. And strict age minimums of 18 for romantic AI companion chatbots.
