How (and why) to run a parent survey in your school community

[.style-intro]If jumping straight into the Parent Pact feels like a big first step (or you’re finding it hard to build momentum with other parents) a simple, anonymous parent survey is a great way to get the conversation started at your school in an open, inclusive way.[.style-intro]

A survey helps surface shared concerns, opens the door to dialogue, and often shows that many parents are already thinking about this – they just haven’t had the space to say it yet. Whether you’re just beginning or ready to go further, a survey helps you understand where people are at and bring others with you.
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There will always be a range of perspectives – and that’s okay. In fact, understanding where people are starting from is one of the most powerful tools you have. A survey gives you a clearer picture of how people are feeling, helps you address common concerns, and shows that this is an inclusive movement – where every voice is welcome and valued.

In most schools, once the conversation begins, you’ll find the majority of parents are open to exploring the Parent Pact together. Lots of people are thinking about this – they just don’t always say it out loud until someone asks.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating and sharing a school-wide parent survey.

Step 1: Use our ready-made survey (or tweak it if you like)

We’ve created a template survey in Google Forms that you can use straight out of the box. It’s quick, anonymous, and designed to gently ask the big questions: how are families thinking about smartphones? Are they open to waiting a bit longer? Would they like to hear how others are approaching it?

Click ‘Make a copy’, personalise it if you want, and you’re good to go. If Google Forms isn’t your thing, ask in your WhatsApp group – there’s usually at least one tech-savvy parent who’ll lend a hand.

[.style-link]Make a copy of the survey template [.style-link]

Step 2: Share it far and wide (but keep it warm and kind)

The best way to get responses? Meet people where they are. That means:

• Class WhatsApp groups
  
• School newsletter or ParentMail
  
• Flyers with QR codes in book bags
  
• A personal message from you

Here’s an example of a message that works:

“A few of us have been chatting about how to best support our kids around smartphones and social media. We’re starting with a short anonymous survey to understand how everyone else is thinking. It only takes five minutes and would really help the whole class. Please fill it in here: [link] Thanks so much!”

Tip: This can be a sensitive subject – especially in classes where lots of kids already have phones or have been promised one. Keep your tone light, understanding and non-judgemental. This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about opening up the conversation, together.

Step 3: Keep it open for 7–10 days (and send a reminder!)

Give families about a week to fill it in – and don’t be shy about sending a reminder (or two). Something as simple as:

“Just a reminder to fill in the smartphone survey by Friday – it’s anonymous and only takes five minutes. The more people we hear from, the better picture we’ll have of what families are thinking. Thank you!”

Aim for 50%+ of families to respond. That might sound ambitious, but with a few friendly nudges, it’s absolutely doable – and it makes the results way more powerful.

Pro tip: The school newsletter alone might only get you a 10–20% response rate. WhatsApp is your secret weapon.

Step 4: Look at the results (it’s easier than it sounds)

Once the survey closes, head to the Google Forms results tab. The graphs are built for you, no spreadsheets required.

Look out for the key takeaways:

• What percentage of families would support a smartphone-free pact?
  
• How many are undecided and open to learning more?
  
• How does the picture look across different year groups?

A response like “60% are open to a pact, 30% undecided, 10% say no” is a huge green light. Even the undecideds are part of the conversation now. That’s real momentum.

Step 5: Share what you found (with care)

Once you’ve got your results, let people know. You can share the headlines in the same WhatsApp groups you used to send out the survey, or add screenshots of the charts into a simple Google Slides presentation.

Here’s an example of what you might say:

“Thanks to everyone who filled in the survey! The results are in: 70% of families haven’t yet given their primary-aged children a smartphone, and 65% said they’d support a pact to wait until Year 9. Another 20% want to know more. This tells us there’s strong support for holding off on smartphones  –  and doing it together.”

That’s the moment where things shift. When people see they’re not alone, they’re far more likely to act. It’s a ripple effect  –  one class, one year group, one school at a time.

A quick word if your results aren’t super positive…

Don’t worry. It’s totally normal to get mixed results  –  especially in older year groups where phones may already be in play. Focus on where the energy is. Often it’s in the younger years, where families are still figuring it out. You don’t need everyone. Even 25% is enough to reduce peer pressure and create a culture shift.

Bottom line?

Running a parent survey isn’t just about collecting data. It’s about opening a door. It gets people thinking, talking, and – crucially – realising they’re not alone.