How did the Wait Until 8th pledge start?

In 2017, in our community of Austin, we started to discuss the mounting pressure to give children their own smartphones at an early age.  We questioned why so many young children at school, sports, and parties are glued constantly to their smartphones. We wondered why on earth a first grader needed the latest iPhone. We agreed that the average age a child receives a smartphone, 10 years old, is too young considering all the risks the device poses. Many parents said they wanted to wait as long as they could but knew it would be an uphill battle. Out of this dialogue came the idea to rally together as a community by starting a pledge. The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. What started out as a local grassroots movement quickly spread across the country within months. 

Why THE END OF 8th grade?

Many people have asked, why the end of 8th grade? Many experts from child psychologists to internet safety leaders to even technology executives agree that it is best to wait until at least 14 before exposing children to smartphones. Some parents wanted to wait longer, but we really wanted to find some sort of feasible ‘line in the sand’ that the community could get around. Children are receiving smartphones now as early as first grade, and the average age a child receives a smartphone is 10 years old now. By waiting until at least the end of 8th grade, parents are giving their children four more additional years without the distractions and dangers of the smartphone. 

Does this mean that by signing the pledge parents will give children smartphones at the end of 8th grade? No! By signing the pledge, you are agreeing to wait until AT LEAST the end of 8th grade before you permit your child to have a smartphone. This does not mean that you agree to give them a smartphone at the end of 8th grade. You are delaying this technology until at least the end of 8th grade, and then as a family you can reassess the situation at the time. Some families may think their child is ready for a smartphone and others may determine a basic phone is better still until their child is older. 

how many people have signed the pledge?

As of October 17, 2024, we have more than 82,000 pledges. Pledges are from across the country and are in all 50 states. Please see a full list of schools with active pledges here.

We believe the pledge is resonating with so many people because there was not a tangible resource for parents to help navigate this tough issue before Wait Until 8th. The pledge helps communities come together. There is strength in numbers!