South Australia has become the first state in the country to introduce an initiative across all public and private schools aimed at helping parents postpone giving smartphones to their children.
Backed by a $6.5 million State Government investment, the Wait Mate rollout will provide presentations for parents at every South Australian primary school in 2026 and 2027 before expanding to all high schools in 2027 and 2028.
The sessions will explore the impacts of early smartphone use while connecting families committing to wait until at least Year 7 before introducing devices, to help reduce the social pressure often associated with giving children a phone.
Research suggests children who own a smartphone by the age of 12 face higher risks of depression, obesity and sleep problems - and the earlier they receive their first smartphone the worse their mental health outcomes tend to be later in life.
Paringa Park Primary School is among the schools already hosting sessions and principal Kevin Kennedy said parents had embraced the sessions as they weighed up when to give their child access to a mobile phone.
"As both a principal and a parent, I know this is an important issue for our community, and these sessions will help parents connect with each other and reduce smartphone use among children," Mr Kennedy said.
Wait Mate director for South Australia Emily Harrison said the program was helping parents navigate one of the most difficult decisions facing families.
"It's not 'no', it's 'not yet' - and that's much easier to say when you know other families in your child's year are saying it too," she said.
The Wait Mate program is expected to reach parents from more than 600 public and private primary schools by the middle of next year.
South Australia is also rolling out a nation-leading pioneering media literacy program, Newshounds, in all primary schools to teach children how to distinguish fact from fiction in the online world.
Families interested in attending a Wait Mate session can register through the Wait Mate website.
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