A growing number of Lower Merion parents are rallying behind the “Wait Until 8th” pledge, write Denali Sagner and Maddie Hanna for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The national initiative urges families to delay giving their children smartphones until the end of eighth grade.
Penn Wynne parent, John Bells, began sharing the pledge with fellow parents last school year, believing that strength in numbers makes it easier to resist the pressure to hand over devices too soon.
Signatures have increased from 358 in May to 395 in July. The pledge still allows basic phones and smartwatches, focusing restrictions on internet-ready devices.
For Cynwyd Elementary parent Yair Lev, the tipping point came after learning that his niece was the only third-grader without a smartphone.
Concerned about cyberbullying, explicit content, and the addictive pull of social media, Lev joined Bells in organizing parent networks online.
While Lower Merion schools don’t officially endorse the pledge, organizers say the community is embracing it as part of a broader movement.
PA Unplugged, a statewide coalition, is pushing for cell phone limits in schools and promoting “kid-safe” alternatives. Supporters hope united voices will help kids reclaim the joys of childhood.
Learn more about the growing “Wait Until 8th” pledge growing in the Main Line in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in August 2025.
