The mother of a teenage girl whose murder was orchestrated via social media has launched a campaign encouraging children to take a break from their phones during the school holidays.

Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was fatally stabbed in 2023, has called on young people to participate in her "Phones Down Challenge," urging them to spend a week offline to reduce dependence on digital devices. The 39-year-old has also advocated for stronger government action to protect children from online harms.

Brianna, 16, was killed by two 15-year-olds, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who plotted the attack through the social media application Snapchat. Both perpetrators are currently serving life sentences.

Speaking about the initiative, Esther Ghey emphasized the need to raise awareness of screen addiction among youth. “Brianna was completely addicted to her phone and social media,” she said. “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.”

Among those participating is 13-year-old Olivia Bell, who has committed to deleting apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Roblox for seven days. Olivia noted that she typically spends between four and six hours daily on her phone outside school hours. Despite finding the challenge difficult, she described positive experiences during the offline period. “A friend came round yesterday, and we had so much fun,” Olivia said. “We had such good conversations, played football, and practiced our scripts for a Matilda show we’re doing.”

The growing concern over young people’s screen time is supported by recent data from the Children’s Commissioner, which found that one in five children spends more than seven hours a day on screens. This level of usage has been linked to significant disruptions in sleep patterns and overall well-being.

In response to these findings, the government has announced plans to introduce a ban preventing children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, with the policy expected to take effect by spring 2027. This move represents a landmark effort to address the negative impact of social media on young users.

Esther Ghey’s campaign highlights ongoing efforts by families and authorities to foster safer and healthier online environments for children, while encouraging real-world engagement and reducing digital dependency.