By: Brooke Shannon
You’re ready to wait—and you don’t want to do it alone.
You’ve decided to hold off on giving your child a smartphone. You know in your gut (and from the growing body of research) that this matters.
Now it’s time to rally others to join you. You want to build a community of parents who are also choosing a slower, more intentional approach to childhood. But starting that conversation can feel intimidating. Anything parenting-related can be tricky—and the last thing you want is to come across as judgmental or preachy.
But here’s the truth: This conversation is too important not to have.
Smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood—and not for the better. The only way we shift the culture is by talking about it, one conversation at a time. When we speak up with empathy and honesty, we give other parents permission to do the same. And together, we can create a new “normal.”
If you’re unsure how to start, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it perfectly.
What matters most is that you begin.
We want to help you feel equipped and empowered to start the conversation—so we’ve put together a few approachable tips to guide and support you along the way.
Together, we can turn hesitation into momentum—and isolation into community.
Start the Conversation with Understanding
Help set the tone for respectful, inclusive conversations. This movement is about supporting—not judging—families.
💛 Lead with compassion – Every family is on a unique path. Respect that parents are doing their best with the knowledge and resources they have.
🚫 Avoid judgment – Approach the conversation with empathy, not shame.
🗣 Foster open dialogue – Share information and personal experience, not pressure.
💬 Explain your “why” – Express your own concerns and values to help build shared understanding and support.
Try One of These Conversation Starters…
I’ve been noticing how early kids are getting smartphones lately—and honestly, it makes me nervous. Have you been thinking about when the right time might be for your family?
I know this can be a sensitive topic, but I’ve been wrestling with when to allow a smartphone. Would love to hear how you’re approaching it.
Lately, I’ve been really worried about how smartphones and social media are affecting our kids. The data is hard to ignore—anyone else feeling the same way?
Have you read The Anxious Generation yet? It really changed how I think about tech and kids. I’d love to start a small parent group to talk through it together—interested?
I just read something that made me pause about smartphones and kids. Want me to send it your way? Curious what you think.
Some of the research coming out on smartphones and mental health is hard to shake. I’m thinking about delaying it for my kid. Have you seen anything that’s shaped your thinking?
Highlight These Key Points When Talking with Other Parents:
📵 This doesn’t have to be the norm.
Most kids now get smartphones by 4th or 5th grade—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. When even a few families take a stand and say, we want something different for our kids, it can shift the culture of a school or community. Together, we can reset the norm and reclaim childhood.
🚫 Smartphones were not made for kids.
Smartphones—and especially social media—weren’t designed with children in mind. These tools are powerful and persuasive, and young, developing brains are especially vulnerable to their addictive and manipulative features. Let’s be honest: even adults struggle.
🎯 Built to Be Addictive
Tech companies are pouring billions into making sure kids stay glued to their screens. The longer they scroll, the more money is made. It’s not a fair fight—and our kids deserve better.
🧠 Young minds are struggling because of smartphones.
More and more research shows that heavy screen use is linked to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and loneliness. What’s even more alarming is the content kids can access—everything from violent videos to explicit material that they’d never be allowed to see in person.
📵 Smartphones Can Block Real-Life Experiences
Smartphones often pull kids away from what matters most—free play, face-to-face friendships, time outdoors, and imaginative exploration. These are the building blocks of confidence, curiosity, and resilience. When kids are immersed in screens, they miss out on the moments that shape a strong childhood.
🌱 By saying “not yet” to smartphones, we’re saying “yes” to what truly counts.
Delaying smartphones isn’t just about what we’re turning down—it’s about what we’re making space for: childhood, unstructured play, boredom that sparks creativity, and friendships built face-to-face.
📞 There are smarter ways to stay connected.
If parents need to reach their kids, it doesn’t have to mean giving them a fully loaded smartphone. Simple, purpose-built devices—like basic phones or smartwatches with limited features—can keep families connected without exposing kids to constant screens and distractions.
🤝 There is strength in numbers!
Trying to delay smartphones alone is hard. Kids feel left out, and parents feel pressured. But when families link arms and make the decision together, the pressure fades and a new normal takes root.
🌍 Join the growing wave of change!
Over 115,000 families have taken the Wait Until 8th pledge—and the number keeps rising. Communities across the country are joining together, united in the mission to delay smartphones and protect childhood.
After You Start the Conversation, Listen. Acknowledge Common Concerns.
I completely understand the worry—feeling like your child might be the only one without a phone really is tough. But that’s the beauty of the Wait Until 8th pledge: your child doesn’t have to be the only one. Instead, they can be part of a community of kids who are also waiting.
The pressure is real. Most of us just want our kids to feel like they belong. Ironically, handing over a smartphone too early often does the opposite—it gives them constant access to content that can make them feel left out, not good enough, or excluded.
I get it—one of the biggest reasons parents give smartphones early is peace of mind. They want to stay connected and ensure their child can reach them in an emergency. That instinct is completely natural. The good news? There are safer, simpler options. Many families are choosing basic phones or smartwatches that allow calls and texts but don’t include internet access, apps, or social media.
Turn Interest into Action
If your conversations spark interest, invite other parents to take the Wait Until 8th pledge. It’s organized by grade and school, making it easy for parents to connect locally and support each other along the way.
Remind them: waiting is so much easier when you know you’re not alone.
One of the biggest reasons parents give in early is the belief that everyone else already has one. But when families commit together, the pressure eases. You realize—you’re not the only one. Not even close.
That’s why Wait Until 8th helps parents connect once group momentum builds. When 10 or more families in the same grade at a school take the pledge, it becomes active. At that point, participating parents receive an email with a list of others in their child’s grade who are also choosing to wait. As more families join, updates are sent to keep everyone encouraged and informed.
By taking this step, parents unite in purpose—forming a connected, encouraging community that’s committed to delaying smartphones and protecting childhood.
Brooke Shannon lives in Austin with her husband and three daughters. She is the founder and the Executive Director of the Wait Until 8th pledge. The pledge empowers parents to delay the smartphone for their children until at least the end 8th grade. Join more than 115,000 parents in saying yes to waiting on the smartphone by pledging today.
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