Oliver Jeffers is in! The world-renowned artist joins the SFC movement

[.style-intro]We’re beyond excited that one of the most beloved children’s authors of our time, Oliver Jeffers, has officially backed Smartphone Free Childhood and signed the Parent Pact.[.style-intro]

Known for his captivating stories and illustrations, Jeffers has captured the hearts of millions of families around the world. His books, which champion celebrate imagination, creativity, and human connection, reflect his deep understanding of childhood — and align closely with the values of this movement. 

As an artist and a parent, he understands the value of protecting the space where childhood should flourish – free from the grip of toxic and addictive algorithms. That’s why Oliver has signed the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact for his own children, pledging to keep them smartphone-free until at least 14.

His call to action encourages all of us to think differently – and to help build a healthier, more intentional childhood for the next generation.

In his words:

“The evidence of the damage that smartphones and social media are doing to the children in our lives is now clear to see. We teach them to cross the road properly and stay away from ‘tricky people’, yet this exposure – through a digital portal in their hand—to unmonitored peer pressure and toxic outsider manipulation is one of the most aggressive dangers they face. Yet one that is often overlooked.
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It’s very easy for parents to succumb to the pleas for a smartphone because we don’t want our kids to feel ‘left out’. Our children can present as mature in a world where they grow up fast, so much so that we forget how vulnerable they all still are.
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As a parent of children still within a bubble of innocence, I’ve chosen to publicly support the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pact, to keep them smartphone-free until at least 14, both to protect their childhood and to encourage other parents to do the same. The more people inside the bubble of protection, the stronger it becomes.”

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It matters that Oliver Jeffers is speaking out. If we want to shift the culture around childhood and smartphones, we need artists, writers, doctors, teachers, tech insiders, and politicians — all of us — to come together and say: enough is enough. This isn’t just a parenting issue, it’s a societal one. Real change will take all of us: families, schools, communities, and leaders working in collaboration. That’s why we’re so grateful to have his voice and influence behind the movement.