Our Community Pact: Keeping Tech in Check, Together
A campaign from Turning Life On - Massachusetts HQ
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Why This Matters
Most parents don't feel ready to hand over a smartphone in 4th, 5th or 6th grade. What makes it hard is the feeling that everyone else is doing it. That's a coordination problem, not a conviction problem, and it gets easier when families can see each other.
Smartphones and social media are designed to be hard to put down, and kids' brains are still developing the self-control to manage them. Waiting gives kids more time for sleep, free play, real friendships and focus, the building blocks of a healthy childhood.
When enough families in a grade sign together, waiting starts to feel normal. No one has to be the only one.
We are committed to keeping tech in check, together.
In a world designed for endless scrolling, we choose something different: a culture rooted in real connection, shared wisdom, and support for growing up offline.
Technology can be a powerful tool, but only when it's used at the right time and in the right way. Today, screens dominate how kids learn, socialize and play, often at the expense of attention, well-being and real-world development.
Research shows:
- Heavy screen use disrupts sleep, attention and emotional regulation.
- Early access to smartphones and social media increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
- Kids need free play, face-to-face friendships and even boredom to develop creativity, resilience and self-control.
- Parents are overwhelmed by tech battles and the pressure to keep up.
This didn't happen by accident. Tech companies shape our habits for profit, not for our well-being. We see the impact in our schools, our homes and our kids' lives. But we're not powerless. When we come together, we can push back and make a different choice.
Our commitments
- Delay smartphones until at least high school. Our kids may use basic phones (talk and text only) or limited-function devices if needed.
- Delay social media until at least 16. We'll actively avoid platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat until our kids are 16 and emotionally ready.
- Support each other. We'll talk openly with other families and share concerns, ideas and resources. We won't pressure or shame any family. We're all doing the best we can.
- Create a healthy tech culture. We'll encourage no-phone playdates, screen-free sleepovers and real-world fun. We'll support our schools in reducing personal device use during the day.
- Model balanced tech use ourselves. We'll be mindful of our own tech habits, and model what we hope to see in our kids.
You can join at any time, even if your child already has a phone. This pact isn't forever: it's a specific, doable commitment for these years, and we'll revisit it as our kids grow.
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