Can I sign the pledge but still give my kids a smart watch or dumb phone?

Yes! By signing the pledge, you are simply agreeing to not give your child a *smart* phone - one with full internet access - before the end of 8th grade. You are more than welcome to consider buying your child a basic phone or a two-way calling watch. The pledge is for smartphones only.  In fact, Wait Until 8th has a list of basic phone options here.

Why wait until at least the end of 8th grade for a smartphone?

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. Wait Until 8th believes the end of 8th grade is a good line in the sand to rally your community around delaying the smartphone. This helps protect the elementary and middle school years. Children are receiving smartphones now as early as first and second grade with a majority of kids having a personal device by 4th grade. It is very challenging to get group momentum around the concept of delaying the smartphone until 16 or 18. Delaying the smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade is feasible and gives kids four more years free of the distractions and dangers that come with the smartphone. And you can wait longer if you want to!

How’s the movement going in the NRV?

We started talking about bringing Wait Until 8th to the NRV in the summer of 2024. It’s been slow but it’s gaining momentum. The more people you talk to about it the more support we’ll have from our local community and the less pressure our kids will feel to have a smartphone and social media before they are ready!

How does the wait until 8th pledge work?

By signing the online pledge with the Wait Until 8th parent organiation, you promise not to give your child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade  Once 10 families from your child’s grade and school have pledged to delay the smartphone, you will be notified that the pledge is in effect! You will receive a list of families who are delaying from your child’s grade and emails for the parents. It is helpful to be connected with other families waiting in your child’s grade.

Wait Until 8th will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization. You will receive an email along with the other parents from your grade and school that sign the pledge when the pledge goes into effect. . They may contact you in the future to update you on the pledge and when it is in effect for your grade. Your personal information will not be made public on this site.