Daisy Greenwell, of Woodbridge, began campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood with her friend Clare after setting up a small Whatsapp chat with other parents to discuss the issue.

After posting on social media, this quickly snowballed into a national campaign and Mrs Greenwell said there is now a group in every county in Britain, with others across the world.

Daisy Greenwell with husband Joe Ryrie (Image: Alastair Bartlett Tilt Shift Creative via Daisy Greenwell)

"It was an amazing feeling to know that we were not alone in this," she said.

"Every single parent in every single home is struggling with this. How do I protect them from all of the harms on the phones?"

A number of schools in Suffolk have now taken steps to ban or restrict smartphones on the school site. 

One of these is Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, which has announced that it will be going smartphone-free from the next school year.

A letter from headteacher Philip Hurst to parents, dated July 9, read: "We recognise that mobile technology is a feature of modern life. However, regular use of mobile device applications, especially social media, can impact negatively on learning, relationships and wellbeing."

Philip Hurst, headteacher of Thomas Mills High School (Image: Thomas Mills High School)

It said many parents will want children to have a phone for the journey to and from school, but that these can only be switched on when queuing for the bus or leaving the school site.

It continued: "Any mobile devices must be kept securely during the school day and lockers are available for students to keep such possessions. Students cannot have phones with them."

Should a child need to contact parents during the day, the letter states they should speak to their form tutor/Head of Year or student services, and parents can contact the school office. 

Mr Hurst added: "Although I accept that often schools can reflect trends in society, I also know they can be powerful agents for change.

"I think the impact on mental health, education and even safeguarding is concerning. In the meantime, I would urge parents to encourage less use, and significant breaks from screens." 

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Hurst said he believes it is a wider society issue and better activities, including clubs, trips and social events, need to be catered towards young people so they can be distracted from their phones.

St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Woodbridge is also planning to implement a ban on smartphones, starting in 2025. 

St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Woodbridge (Image: Google maps)

Headteacher Karen Read said pupils in year six can currently bring smartphones into school but they are kept in the office during the day. 

She said from 2025 pupils will only be allowed to bring in non-smartphones.

"The reason we are doing it is because there was strong parent feeling that it was something they wanted and we felt that we wanted to support our parent community," she said.

"I just think the whole smartphone world is really difficult to navigate for us all. When children are much younger it is ever harder.

"Not having smartphones gives them the opportunity to learn online safety skills with a different type of device so they are ready when they do have a smartphone."

Some schools have opted to ban smartphone use on the premises (Image: Newsquest)

A letter containing advice around smartphones and online safety ahead of the summer holidays was also sent to parents at schools within The Tilian Partnership, which includes Wilby Church of England Primary School and Rougham Church of England Primary School. 

It read: "This is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides, but it is, quite rightly, the choice of parents whether their child has a smartphone.

"However, in the light of current thinking, the type of phone and the age at which your child has their own phone may be something for you to consider." 

Of the bans and raise in awareness, Mrs Greenwell said: "Schools and school leaders have a huge power to change the social norms. 

"It is absolutely brilliant and it is long-needed.

"I think teachers are ahead of the game on this - they have known for a long time about the issues with smartphones in schools, they see it every day."