Many of us remember doing sponsored walks at school. Names written down by friends and family on a sheet of paper. A small challenge, done together, raising money for a good cause. This is a modern version of that idea. But instead of walking miles, children are being invited to take on a different kind of challenge:
Switch off their smartphones for 7 days.
What is the 7-Day Challenge?
The Phones Down challenge takes place during the first week of the summer holidays- Sunday 26th July to Sunday 2nd August.
Children take a break from smartphones and use that time to reconnect with real life, friends, family, and the world around them.
At the same time, they can raise money through sponsorship for the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project, supporting young people’s mental health.
What does ‘Phones Down’ mean?
Every family is different, so this is flexible. But we recommend handing your turned off phone to a trusted adult at the start of the challenge for the 7 day period.
For most children, it means:
Parents can agree what works best:
This is about reducing distraction, not creating stress.
Young people can support the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project by taking part in the Phones Down challenge, raising sponsorship money, and helping spread the message about positive mental health and healthy digital habits. By switching off smartphones for one week, encouraging friends to join in, and spending more time connecting in the real world, young people are helping create a kinder, healthier future for children growing up online.
