The family of murdered teenager Olly Stephen is looking to start a 'smartphone-free childhood' campaign with primary schools across Reading. 

Olly Stephens was 13 when he was fatally stabbed in Emmer Green, Reading, on January 3, 2021, in what his father described as an 'execution' planned on social media.

Two boys, both 14, were sentenced to more than 12 years in prison over the murder, while a girl, 13, was jailed for more than three years for manslaughter. 

This Saturday saw friends and family gather in Emmer Green for a fundraising memorial walk to mark Olly's 17th birthday - raising more than £9,000 for charity in the process. 

Speaking to The Reading Chronicle after the event, Olly's mother Amanda said his family is now planning to work with primary schools across Reading to create a new 'smartphone-free childhood' campaign. 

Earlier this year, a national 'parent pact' organised by group Smartphone Free Childhood was signed by at least one parent at 6,537 schools. 

It follows a campaigns in St Albans where 20 out of 24 primary headteachers called on parents not to let their children have a smartphone before they are 14.

Olly's mother said: "I think what's changed is that awareness has been raised. 

"When we lost Olly and saw the world he was living in online, we were horrified how easily it was for children to speak violently. 

"There was no one stopping the children from getting angrier and angrier. 

"Olly kept things hidden from us I think it was him trying to protect us.

"We're 100 percent for not giving children smart phones, not allowing them in schools."

Olly's family has begun work with other parents and schools in Oxfordshire to educate children and parents about the risks and dangers facing young people online. 

Now Amanda is looking to expand the work with efforts to curtail smartphones in primary schools in Reading and help parents "stick together" on the issue. 

She said: "My aim is to bring that work to Reading - we would love to get the ball rolling in the new year.

"Legally its up to the school, they can do it. The government seems to be quite slow."

The Reading community has so far shown "fantastic" support for the charitable work undertaken in Olly's memory, according to Amanda. 

Discussing this Saturday's memorial walk, the Bugs Bottom resident said: "We were really pleased - really pleased. 

"It feels really like everyone has been helping. Whether they have brought a raffle ticket or donated to the prizes or brough a cake along for the walk. 

"With 'Olly's work' it feels that everyone is doing their bit."

The money raised from the walk will be donated to Parenting Special Children, children's mental health group No. 5, and the anti-knife crime group Ben Kinsella Trust. 

Are you a parent or primary school teacher concerned about children's safety online? Anyone wishing to support the Stephens family's work around smartphone access for primary school children can contact the family through The Reading Chronicle - email richard.lemmer@newsquest.co.uk.