Several HHCA 4th-grade families are on a dedicated mission to change the way their students grow up over the next several years. At least ten families have rallied together to sign the Wait Until 8th national campaign pledge, vowing to delay giving their children a smart phone until at least the 8th grade. 

The dangers of premature exposure to smartphones and social media run rampant. This group is committed to guiding their children through a play-based childhood rather than a phone-based one and supporting each other along the way.    

After reading The Anxious Generation, The Opt Out Family, and now currently, Raising Humans in a Digital World, one thing is echoed across the board for certain---that more and more adolescents and teens who have already been exposed are seeing the dangers and implications of smartphone use and even taking it upon themselves to reduce time spent on their device, or ridding themselves of it altogether.  In an accompanying sentiment, an increasing number of parents are also becoming more aware of the high stakes of premature exposure and taking whatever measure necessary to preserve and protect their child’s childhood. Research from these books indicates that many parents are not buying smartphones because they believe young children actually need the smartphone, but because they do not want their child to be “left out.”  There IS strength in numbers and I'm so thankful for this group of bold 4th grade families who are standing together to Wait Until 8th. 

- Mallary DeChirico, HHCA 4th Grade Parent 

To learn more about the Wait Until 8th campaign and how you can sign the pledge individually or become active as a grade level, click HERE or contact Mallary DeChirico, HHCA 4th-grade parent.