A mother’s decision to confiscate her daughter’s iPhone and replace it with a basic flip phone has resulted in a remarkable transformation in the child’s mental well-being. Becca Farley, a mother of two from the UK, took this action after noticing concerning changes in her 12-year-old daughter, including a decline in mental health and excessive isolation in her bedroom.
Becca’s concerns escalated when she observed her daughter engaging with social media in ways that seemed inappropriate for her age. The situation prompted a serious discussion about the impact of smartphone use on her daughter’s life. “This was not done as a means to control my teenager,” Becca explained. “It was purely done for her mental well-being.”
After their conversation, Becca made the decision to exchange the smartphone, which was loaded with social media apps, for a simple flip phone. She noted that the past few months had been challenging, primarily due to the influence of social media on her daughter’s happiness.
Three weeks later, Becca shared an update on TikTok under the handle @urgh.becc, highlighting the significant progress her daughter has made. “The biggest blessing that has come out of all of this is her mental well-being,” she stated. “I cannot express the change that I have seen in that child in three weeks.”
Before the swap, her daughter had been retreating into her bedroom and losing interest in real-life interactions. “Now she spends so much time with us, she is so happy, she’s so funny,” Becca noted. “She’s started reading again and taken up other interests and hobbies. It’s like the dark cloud has lifted.”
Despite the change, Becca clarified that her daughter still has access to an iPad, allowing her to connect with friends via platforms like WhatsApp and FaceTime. “She still has that connection with the outside world, but half the time she chooses not to sit on her iPad,” she reported. These days, the family enjoys watching television together, playing games, or engaging in meaningful conversations.
Becca reflected on the differences between childhood experiences now and in the past. “When we were young, if we had issues at school, we could come home and leave that behind. Now, with smartphones and social media, those issues often follow kids home, turning their safe space into a source of stress.”
In a world where social media is omnipresent, Becca emphasizes the importance of mental health for children. “Her mental well-being has just improved tenfold,” she remarked.
The video has garnered significant attention, with many fellow parents expressing their support in the comments. One commenter, a safeguarding lead in a school, noted, “I wish more parents would consider things like this. I don’t think people understand the impact social media is having on children.”
Another parent echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I want my happy-go-lucky daughter back.”
As conversations about the influence of technology on youth continue, Becca Farley’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the potential benefits of reducing screen time for children, fostering healthier family dynamics, and promoting mental well-being.
