Wait Until 8th - Hen Hud Chapter

Delaying Smartphones, Preserving Childhood

Smartphones are altering childhood, but no parent has to navigate this alone. The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade.

Take the Official Pledge

What is "Wait Until 8th"?

The Wait Until 8th pledge gives parents support to say "yes" to childhood and "not yet" to smartphones. By agreeing to wait together, we decrease the peer pressure on our kids and rebuild healthy, offline social environments.

Reduces Social Pressure

When a critical mass of families in a grade commits, kids don't feel left out.

Protects Academic & Mental Health

Delays exposure to social media addiction, cyberbullying, sleep disruption, and academic distraction.

Encourages Real-World Play

Helps kids develop face-to-face communication, outdoor habits, and deep friendships.

How the Pledge Works: The 10-Family Tipping Point

You don't have to be the only parent holding the line.

The national Wait Until 8th pledge is designed so that no parent feels like an island. Here is how it works:

Grade-Specific: The pledge applies directly to your child's school and current grade level.
The 10-Family Threshold: The pledge officially becomes active for your grade as soon as 10 families in that grade at our school sign on.
Built-In Community: Once 10 families sign, Wait Until 8th connects you directly with the other local parents committed to the same boundary.
Zero Risk to Sign Today: Signing up now doesn't leave your child isolated—it helps build the roster needed to activate the pledge for their grade!

A Note from Czarina (Hen Hud Parent & Educator)

"As both a parent and an educator, I see daily how vital unstructured play, imaginative thinking, and eye-to-eye interaction are to a child’s development. Childhood is fleeting, and delaying smartphones isn't about restriction—it’s about reclaiming childhood innocence. I want our kids to build deep friendships, explore their own creativity, and experience genuine human connection rather than experiencing the world through a screen. Signing this pledge is our way of protecting that space so our kids can simply be kids."

Why Join Our Local Chapter?

While "Wait Until 8th" is a national movement, real change happens in our local classrooms, neighborhood parks, and playgroups.

By joining our local Hen Hud Chapter, you can:

Connect with other local families making the same commitment.
Access local parent meetups, screen-free event ideas, and group discussions.
Coordinate phone-free playdates and neighborhood activities.

Take the Official Pledge and then contact the local host below to get info on the following:

Local Meetups
Screen-Free Events
Parent Connections

Smart Alternatives & Resources

If you need a way to reach your child for logistics, safety, or after-school coordination, you don't need a full smartphone.

Explore basic flip phones, Gabb Wireless, Bark Phone, or GizmoWatch options that offer calling and GPS tracking without web browsers or social media.

Ready to Protect Childhood Together?

Sign the Pledge for Our School

Questions or Want to Connect?

Have questions about how the pledge works at our school, or want to help spread the word to other grade levels?

Local Chapter Host: Czarina

Contact me by filling out the form below:

Research/Leadership