Instax at Play: Helping kids stay smartphone free with SFC

Instax recently supported SFC (previously Smartphone-free Childhood) with Instax Mini 12 cameras as prizes for events. In a pertinent interview, SFC spokesperson, Courtney Atkinson, discusses how Instax’s analogue cameras align with SFC’s low-tech philosophy, the importance of free play during childhood, and the organisation’s efforts to keep schools smartphone free.

SFC comes with an important mission: to connect and empower parents to press pause on smartphones and social media for kids. Can you tell us why you believe this is important?

The answer lies in a growing body of evidence pointing to the harmful impact of smart devices and social media on mental health, social development, and well-being. As children’s lives become more digital, studies reveal a strong link between early smartphone use and challenges such as anxiety, social withdrawal, and declining academic performance.

SFC, previously Smartphone-free Childhood, believes that by delaying smartphones and social media together, parents and schools can help create a more balanced, resilient foundation for childhood. Through open community, resources, and collective action, we hope to shift societal norms around tech, giving families the freedom to create healthier, more intentional digital habits.

What is the importance of play during childhood?

Filling the tech gap is the primal need for unstructured, free play, and more independence in the real world. Play is not just about having fun, it is essential for children’s development. Unstructured play allows kids to explore, imagine, and experiment during childhood, helping them learn social skills, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation.

Research shows that play-based activities support brain development, helping children build pathways for creativity, independence, and resilience, all skills that are far harder to learn later on in life.

SFC has recently launched the SFC Digital Parent Pact, a first for the country. Can you tell us how this can help parents to keep primary schools smartphone free?

Our latest initiative, the SFC digital Parent Pact, is the first of its kind in South Africa. It is designed to give parents a concrete way to collectively delay giving smartphones to their children until high school. The pact works through community connection: when 10 parents from the same school and grade sign up to delay the pact “unlocks”, linking them with other like-minded parents to form a supportive network.

This collective commitment removes the pressure often felt by parents to keep up with tech trends, providing reassurance that they are not alone. It also prevents children from feeling (or claiming to be!) that they are the last one to have a smartphone. Further it empowers schools by showing them that parents value tech-free learning environments and want to support school policies promoting phone-free academic days.

SFC also gave away Instax Mini 12 cameras during one of your meetups. For children, what do you believe an Instax camera brings to the table?

During one of our recent Press Pause, Go Play events, we were thrilled to partner with Instax to give away Instax Mini 12 cameras – a highly desirable tool that perfectly aligns with SFC’s low-tech philosophy. Well-meaning parents may want to encourage their child’s interest in photography by getting them a smartphone, inadvertently opening Pandora’s box. Instax’s analogue cameras offer all the fun and benefits without the risks.

For children, an Instax camera opens up a world of hands-on creativity. It encourages them to explore the world around them, capture meaningful moments, and express their unique perspective through photography.

Unlike digital cameras or smartphones, an Instax camera, such as the Mini 12, offers a tangible experience; each shot is deliberate, making children think about what they’re capturing before pressing the button. Kids love the instant feedback of seeing their photos develop on the spot – this leaves no room for retakes and the perfection demanded by the online world, and kids’ mental health is better off without it.

Where can people find out more about SFC and where can they sign the Parent Pact petition?

If you’re ready to join the movement for healthier tech habits, there are several ways to get involved. Find out more about SFC, sign the Parent Pact for your school, join your WhatsApp community, and access resources on our website. You can also sign the petition to help make South African primary schools smartphone-free.

As parents, we have the power to shape a healthier future for our children. By pressing pause on smartphones and embracing real-world play and creativity, we’re creating a foundation for resilient, connected, and thriving children. We encourage parents to join us on this journey – it is a commitment worth making.