Wait until 8th – Let kids be kids a little longer

Wait until 8th – Let kids be kids a little longer

The “Wait Until 8th” pledge is an initiative that encourages parents to delay giving their children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. This movement is driven by concerns over the distractions and potential dangers smartphones pose to children, particularly those in elementary and middle school. The pledge is a response to the pressure and social expectations that lead to children, on average, receiving their first smartphone around the age of ten.

The rationale behind the pledge includes concerns that smartphones are altering childhood experiences, reducing time spent outdoors, with friends, reading books, and engaging with family. Instead, children are spending more hours on activities like Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. The pledge aims to provide community support to parents who feel powerless against the growing presence of smartphones in various aspects of children’s lives, including in classrooms, social settings, and even at family dinner tables.

To accommodate communication needs before 8th grade, the initiative suggests the use of basic phones or watches that allow for calling and texting but avoid the distractions and dangers associated with smartphones. This approach is seen as a way to preserve childhood experiences and avoid the premature adoption of smartphone technology.

The Research behind the initiative:

The “Wait Until 8th” pledge is indeed based on various research findings regarding the impact of smartphone usage on children. Here are some key points supported by research:

1. Cognitive Impact and Academic Performance: Research from the University of Texas suggests that the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce cognitive capacity and impair test-taking abilities. Additionally, using smartphones in classrooms can lower a student’s grades, and children who attend schools with smartphone bans perform better on tests​​​​.
2. Mental Health Concerns: Heavy social media use, which is common on smartphones, has been correlated with depression in young adults, as per research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, in his book “Glow Kids,” highlights how screen technology is linked with various disorders such as ADHD, addiction, anxiety, depression, increased aggression, and even psychosis​​​​.
3. Addictive Nature of Smartphones: Smartphones can produce addictive brain responses similar to those caused by alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions. The design of smartphone apps and social media platforms encourages prolonged usage, increasing the likelihood of dependence​​.
4. Sleep Disturbance: The use of smartphones and other portable devices with screens has been shown to negatively affect both the quantity and quality of sleep in children and teens. This disturbance can lead to various health issues like poor diet, obesity, weakened immune system, stunted growth, and mental health problems​​​​.
5. Exposure to Inappropriate Content and Cyber Bullying: Smartphones expose children to risks such as cyberbullying and inappropriate content, including pornography. Cyberbullying is prevalent with smartphones being a common medium for it. Additionally, a significant percentage of young online users have been exposed to online pornography, often unintentionally through online ads​​​​.
6. General Consensus on Age Appropriateness: Many experts, including child psychologists, internet safety leaders, and technology executives, recommend waiting until age 14 before giving children access to their own smartphones. Most parents also feel uncomfortable giving smartphones to children under 12​​.