What is Wait Until 8th?
In today's digital age, parenting comes with unprecedented challenges, especially when it comes to deciding when to introduce smartphones to our children. While connectivity and access to information are undeniably valuable, most experts now recommend delaying smartphone ownership for children until they are past the sensitive period of pre-adolescence. (Flip phones and watches are considered a much safer alternative).
One notable initiative that assists with this choice is the "Wait Until 8th Pledge." This grassroots movement encourages parents to ‘officially’ delay giving their children smartphones until the end of 8th grade (typically around 13/14 years old) by signing an online pledge on their site. Once 10 families have pledged from your child’s grade and school, you will be notified that the pledge is active! You’ll then receive a list of families who are delaying from your child’s grade and emails for the parents. It is obviously helpful to be connected with other families who have made this choice in your child’s grade. Check out the list of schools with active pledges here!
There are some great basic phones and smartwatches featured here. If you would like your child to have a basic phone or smartwatch to call and text only, you still can sign the pledge. These basic options avoid many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
Westlake Hills Elementary and Westlake Elementary have active pledges for the rising 5th grade classes. If you have an incoming 5th grader at one of those schools, you can sign the pledge now and immediately have a supportive network!
Here’s the link to the site. Check it out!