In today’s digital age, our kids are spending more time on screens than ever before, both in and out of the classroom. As concerned parents, we recognize the critical role that schools play in shaping our kids' future. That's why we are advocating for a thoughtful, balanced approach to technology in education, one that prioritizes the long-term health and well-being of our kids.

The rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among children and adolescents is alarming. Research increasingly shows that too much screen time, especially exposure to social media and constant digital stimulation, plays a significant role in this crisis. By limiting the use of personal devices and unnecessary technology in schools, we can protect our kids from these harmful effects and give them the space to grow emotionally and socially in healthier ways.

Kids thrive when they are engaged in active learning, creative problem-solving, and deep thinking. Excessive screen time, on the other hand, often encourages passive consumption of information, short attention spans, and surface-level engagement. Schools that reduce screen-based activities give students more opportunities for hands-on learning, face-to-face collaboration, and critical thinking exercises, all of which are key to academic success and personal growth.

Our kids need real-world interactions to develop the social and emotional skills that will carry them through life. Technology, while offering some educational benefits, often hinders these essential interactions. Encouraging schools to promote screen-free activities and embrace initiatives like free, unstructured play gives our kids the chance to form deeper connections, resolve conflicts on their own, and build the confidence they need to thrive in today’s world.

Our kids need time to develop the maturity and discipline necessary to use technology responsibly. By delaying the introduction of personal devices like smartphones, schools and parents can give our kids more time to practice patience, self-regulation, and focus on what truly matters—their education and personal development. Initiatives that encourage delayed access to technology, such as waiting until eighth grade to give kids smartphones, help foster healthier relationships with technology as they grow older.

Childhood is a precious, fleeting time, and we believe it should be protected. When our kids are given the chance to explore the world around them without the constant influence of digital devices, they are better able to embrace their curiosity, creativity, and innocence. By reducing unnecessary technology in schools and encouraging age-appropriate access to devices, we can help our our kids experience the joys of childhood without the pressures of early exposure to online content.

As parents, we have the power to advocate for change in our schools. By working together, we can urge administrators and educators to adopt policies that prioritize the health and well-being of our kids by reducing screen time, delaying smartphone use, and promoting free play and independence. Join us in making our schools a place where our kids can grow, learn, and thrive—free from the overwhelming influence of screens.

Together, we can make a difference. Let’s give our kids the childhood they deserve.

Wait Until Eighth

The Wait Until Eighth initiative encourages parents to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the eighth grade. The goal is to protect children from the negative impacts of early smartphone use, including social media addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, and the increased risks of cyberbullying. By postponing smartphone ownership, parents give their kids more time to develop emotionally, build strong face-to-face social skills, and focus on healthy, in-person interactions during their formative years.

This movement is based on the understanding that children, especially in elementary and middle school, are not developmentally equipped to handle the pressures and distractions that come with constant smartphone access. By waiting, parents help shield their children from the stress of managing online identities and encourage them to participate more fully in the real-world experiences that are crucial for social, cognitive, and emotional development. Wait Until Eighth is not just about delaying technology—it's about giving children the time and space to grow up in a healthier, more balanced way.

Let Grow

The Let Grow initiative promotes fostering independence, resilience, and confidence in children by encouraging unstructured, child-led activities and free play. In a world where our kids’ lives are often tightly scheduled and heavily supervised, Let Grow advocates for giving them more opportunities to explore, solve problems, and manage risks on their own. This approach allows our kids to develop critical life skills, such as decision-making, self-reliance, and emotional resilience, through real-world experiences.

The initiative also encourages schools and parents to step back and allow children the freedom to navigate challenges independently. Whether through unsupervised play, walking to school alone, or engaging in self-directed projects, Let Grow believes that children thrive when they are trusted to handle age-appropriate tasks. By encouraging independence, the initiative helps our kids build the confidence and self-assurance they need to succeed in adulthood.

Phone-Free Schools

Phone-free school policies go beyond simply restricting smartphone use during class time by ensuring that phones are completely out of reach for the entire school day. These policies recognize that even intermittent access to phones—such as between classes or during lunch—can disrupt students' focus, social development, and overall school experience. Unlike policies that allow students to have their phones on them but require them to be locked up or kept away during class, phone-free policies eliminate the constant presence of smartphones altogether, creating a more consistent and focused learning environment.

Policies that only limit phone use during class but permit access between periods still allow smartphones to have a pervasive influence. Students may rush to check notifications, texts, and social media between classes, which can lead to distractions that carry over into their academic time. The mere anticipation of checking their phones can affect their ability to concentrate and engage fully in the learning process. While locking up phones during class is a step in the right direction, allowing phone use during breaks may inadvertently reinforce a culture of dependence on digital devices, keeping students mentally tethered to their screens rather than focused on in-person interactions and their education.

In contrast, a fully phone-free environment promotes continuous focus throughout the day. Without the option to check their phones between classes, students are more likely to engage with their peers, fostering deeper connections and stronger social skills. They are also more present in their own experience, more mindful of their surroundings, and more capable of developing emotional resilience without relying on the digital distractions that smartphones provide. By removing the "digital safety net" entirely, phone-free policies encourage students to develop independence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage boredom or downtime without defaulting to technology.

Phone-free policies also address growing concerns about mental health. Frequent access to smartphones—whether between classes or throughout the day—has been linked to anxiety, depression, and social comparison, particularly through social media use. By eliminating the temptation to constantly check their devices, schools can create an environment that reduces these stressors and promotes healthier, more balanced development.

Ultimately, phone-free school policies ensure that the school day remains dedicated to learning and personal growth. They protect students from the distractions and negative mental health effects of smartphones, fostering an environment where students can focus on their academics and build strong, real-world social connections. While policies that limit phone use to certain times may seem like a compromise, fully phone-free policies provide the consistency and structure needed to support students in their academic and emotional development.

Limiting Device Dependency

Reducing reliance on tablets and similar devices in classrooms is critical to fostering a more focused and engaged learning environment. While digital tools can enhance certain aspects of education, excessive use often leads to passive consumption rather than active participation. Tablets, with their constant notifications and easy access to distractions, can prevent students from developing important skills like deep reading, problem-solving, and critical thinking. By reducing screen time during school hours, educators can create more opportunities for hands-on learning, meaningful discussions, and collaborative activities that promote a deeper understanding of the material.

Sending these devices home with students further blurs the boundaries between schoolwork and personal screen time, making it more difficult for children to disconnect and recharge. Home should be a space for family interaction, play, and rest, yet when school-issued tablets come home, they often extend the reach of school stress into evening hours. By limiting the presence of digital devices both in the classroom and at home, parents and schools can work together to promote healthier habits, ensuring that children have the space they need to grow academically while also developing emotional resilience, social skills, and creativity through real-world experiences.

Avoiding Television

Allowing or encouraging television watching during lunch, snacks, or recess, can have negative effects on their development and well-being. These times of day are important breaks from structured learning, where kids should engage in social interaction, physical activity, or unstructured play. Watching television during these moments can discourage kids from talking with their peers, using their imagination, or being physically active—activities that are essential for social and emotional development. These habits, when formed early, can lead to a reliance on screens as a default way to relax or unwind, limiting children's ability to entertain themselves or engage meaningfully with others.

Additionally, television watching during meals can interfere with healthy eating habits. Children may become distracted, paying less attention to their hunger cues, which can lead to overeating or undereating. It also disrupts the opportunity for mindful eating and enjoying food as part of a social experience. Encouraging active play and conversation during recess or mealtimes allows children to develop better communication skills, form friendships, and create healthier, more balanced relationships with food and physical activity—all of which are key components of long-term well-being.

The responsibility for promoting these policies and initiatives falls squarely on parents. Schools may recognize the benefits, but lasting change often comes from grassroots efforts driven by parents who are advocating for the well-being of their children. As parents, we are in the unique position to see the effects of excessive screen time on our kids and understand how it impacts their mental health, academic focus, and social development. It’s up to us to voice these concerns, collaborate with school administrators, and push for policies that prioritize the healthy development of our children.

Beyond influencing school policies, parents also need to take the lead at home, but individual efforts alone are often not enough. For initiatives like Wait Until Eighth and Let Grow to truly succeed, a significant number of parents within a grade or peer group must cooperate collectively. If only a few families implement boundaries around smartphone use or encourage more independence, children may feel isolated or left out, making it harder for them to follow through. However, when many families work together, it creates a supportive community where kids aren’t under the same peer pressure to have constant access to technology or always be supervised. Whether it’s delaying smartphone ownership or allowing more unsupervised play, parents can reinforce healthier norms by taking collective action. This group cooperation is essential to fostering an environment where children can experience the benefits of less screen time and greater independence, making meaningful, lasting change possible for all.

We parents play a crucial role in driving change, and there are several ways to help make these initiatives a reality. First, by submitting information to the North Shore Screens site and ensuring that existing information is accurate, parents can contribute to a valuable resource for the entire community. This site provides insight into what public and private schools across the North Shore area are doing regarding technology use, screen time policies, and initiatives like Wait Until Eighth and Let Grow. The more data that is shared and updated, the clearer the picture becomes for other parents and decision-makers.

Additionally, learning about the prevailing practices at your own child’s school—as well as neighboring schools—helps parents gauge where they stand and what changes might be needed. From there, parents can organize with others who share their concerns and work collectively to advocate for stronger phone-free policies, reduced screen time, and more opportunities for independent play. Being active in conversations with school administrators, attending meetings, and petitioning schools to adopt healthier policies are essential steps. Together, parents can create momentum and influence schools to prioritize children’s long-term development over immediate technological convenience.