'I have PTSD after seeing an online suicide at 12': Growing call to ban smartphones in schools

18‑year‑old Frazer McKenna is living with PTSD after a classmate forced a smartphone into his face during a Year‑8 break in January 2026, showing him a live video of a man’s self‑harm with a gun. The traumatic clip triggered severe depression, suicide attempts and a diagnosis of complex PTSD four years later. McKenna, whose mental‑health decline worsened post‑COVID, now campaigns to ban smartphones in all UK schools, arguing that the technology can expose children to dangerous content instantly. Dr Emily Sehmer notes that roughly 500 children daily in England are referred for anxiety alone, and that 99.8 % of primary schools and 90 % of secondary schools already have restrictions. The Department for Education says it supports headteachers but warns social‑media companies must protect under‑18s.