Wait Until 8th Pledge

Wait Until 8th is a national initiative designed to support families in making intentional, research-informed decisions about technology use. The pledge encourages parents to delay smartphones until at least the end of middle school—giving children more time to develop socially, emotionally, and academically without the constant distractions and pressures that often come with early smartphone access.

Many families feel caught between what they believe is best for their child and the reality that “everyone else already has a phone.” Wait Until 8th addresses this challenge by building a community of families who commit together. This collective approach reduces pressure on individual parents and helps children feel included without needing a smartphone to stay connected.

By joining the pledge, families are helping to establish shared norms within the school community—prioritizing face-to-face relationships, independent play, better sleep, and overall well-being. Participants also gain access to a supportive network of parents who are navigating similar decisions and working toward the same goal: raising resilient, balanced kids in a digital world.