Irish town's voluntary pact to delay children's smartphones until secondary school

In the Irish town of Greystones, a community has voluntarily agreed to hold off giving children smartphones until they reach secondary school age. The pact, part of an initiative called "It Takes A Village", has been led by the local school principal and has drawn in parents across the area. The move comes amid growing concern over the impact of screen time on younger children, which is explored in the latest episode of the BBC's Tech Life programme. Presenter Shiona McCallum speaks to the school principal behind the initiative and a local parent about the decision. The episode also features a woman who, after surviving a late-night attack, was inspired to develop a wearable safety device. In Sweden, meanwhile, an artificial intelligence was let loose to run a cafe – with unexpected results. The programme, produced by Tom Quinn, aired on 7 July 2026 and runs for 26 minutes. The voluntary agreement in Greystones reflects a broader debate over when children should be given their own smartphones, and what the consequences of early exposure might be. By waiting until secondary school, the community hopes to reduce the pressure on younger children and encourage more face-to-face interaction. The school principal leading the initiative says it has gained significant local support. The episode's other stories highlight how technology can both pose risks and offer solutions – from wearable devices that enhance personal safety to AI experiments in everyday settings.