My name is Katelyn Moore and I am 16. When I was in 4th grade, all of my classmates began acquiring smartphones. When I asked my parents for one, their response was “What is your why behind wanting one?”

This question surprised me and I answered with “All my friends have one, I feel left out when they are on theirs, etc.” And while they understood where I was coming from they clarified that they didn’t see the need for one at that point in my life.

While at that moment I was disappointed, looking back I see that they were doing their jobs as my parents to protect me and keep things “age-appropriate”. They were defending me from the threats I didn’t know existed .

I was not given a phone until my freshman year, and I would not have asked for it a moment sooner. Growing up outside of a screen made me who I am today. I have a confidence you can only discover in the real world, not the virtual one and I also have the ability to carry on a conversation while making eye contact. I have many hobbies such as baking, painting, and guitar.

Another thing my parents didn’t allow is social media until I was 16. I am so thankful that they postponed it until I was mature enough to regulate everything that comes with not only such an influential device but social media in itself.

I see my teenage peers struggling with anxiety, loneliness and depression which is yet another reason why I am grateful that my parents waited for me to learn who I am without the world's opinions pushed onto me (beauty standards, life, relationships, perfection, etc).

I realize now I have had a real childhood, one filled with playing outside, imagination, and memories. I also don’t see my parents as strict parents, but as parents who have reasonable restrictions to protect me, and for that I thank them. I was young, naive, and not ready for the world it opens up. This is why I believe we need to let kids be kids a little longer and delay the smartphone!

Special thanks to Katelyn for sharing her story with us!

Parents sign the pledge today to delay smartphones until at least the end of 8th grade. We link you up with other families waiting from your child's school 🙌

Please consider delaying the smartphone for your child with the Wait Until 8th pledge and delaying social media until 16+. There are so many reasons to wait. Currently the average age a child receives a smartphone is around 4th grade despite the many distractions and dangers that comes with this technology. Join more than 60,000 parents by signing the pledge today.

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