Leading into Christmas, Wangaratta High School principal Dave Armstrong is urging parents considering buying devices for children who are preparing for secondary school to delay the purchase of smartphones.

Mr Armstrong reiterated the call to parents he made last year, suggesting they instead consider purchasing 'basic' phones which enable only calls and texts and can be purchased for $79.

Coupled with the federal government's social media ban due to come into effect on 10 December, he believes this will stand young people in better stead to deal with life in the digital age than would early access to a smartphone.

"Phones have become too much a part of young people's lives," he said.

"I didn't decide, as a citizen or school principal, to allow this sort of experimentation to happen on young people, but I'm trying to find out what we can do to address it.

"Young people didn't stand a chance - the apps on phones are designed for addiction, and they're hooked.

"I've worked in K-12 schools for most of my career, and I know phones are not good in the hands of young high school and primary-aged children, so I really feel strongly about encouraging parents of young children to remember that they have a choice.

"Hold off for as long as possible - your children will be better for it, for a whole lot of reasons.

"I think every one of us as citizens can look at ourselves and look at our own challenges with digital technology, but as an adult, I can make a conscious decision; a young person's mind is not wired the same way.

"As well as the addictive nature of apps, it's also a matter of what they are exposed to via phones, including extremism and hate speech which is targeted to them."

Mr Armstrong said the age of 15 or 16 was early enough for young people to have access to a smartphone.

This is in line with the soon-to-be-introduced social media ban which will restrict young people aged under 16 from platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook.

Admitting it would be a "radical perspective" for modern parents, he urged families to band together to combat the response from young people that 'everybody else has a smartphone', as they attempt to give their children a play-based rather than screen-based childhood.

"There is a lot of pressure on children to have smartphones, and for parents to give them, but if they are thinking that the start of year seven is a great time to start, it's not," he said.

"There is so much social and emotional growth already happening at that time.

"We need to allow more development, learning, critical thinking, and a more sophisticated sense of self.

"If parents think their children need a phone in year seven so they can contact them, a basic phone is enough.

"If your child already has a smartphone, or you had planned to give one for Christmas, you are still allowed to change your mind.

"You are the parent. It is your responsibility to act in your child's best interests, including reversing a decision once you see the consequences."

As local teenagers prepare for the upcoming social media ban, Mr Armstrong said some staff at the high school would be part of a solidarity pledge with students, by committing to not using social media themselves.

He encouraged all those involved with young people required to withdraw from social media to "meet them at a point of empathy", by assisting with replacement activities and finding other sources of connection.

"It's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of this change," he said.

"The worst thing parents and carers could do is to assist young people in getting around the delay.

"Rather, they need to model a balance of phone use, by getting their phones out to check them, and then putting them away, or showing that they are making a conscious decision to look at them."

Mr Armstrong said the best digital advice he had found available came via the eSafety Commissioner at www.esafety.gov.au