Smartphones and social media place adult-sized responsibilities on children long before they’re ready—from managing constant notifications, to navigating online bullying, to resisting addictive algorithms and harmful content. Kids are not equipped to handle this.
Let’s Change The Norm
Who we are ?
We’ve seen screentime creep into every corner of our children's lives, displacing real-life friendships, play, and imagination. Tech companies promised connection, but they’ve instead delivered isolation, distraction, and depletion as they seek to monetize our kids' attention.
We are parents. And we're tired of feeling outpowered, outpaced, and pushed aside by algorithms.
But we are not powerless. We can choose a different path. We can band together to reclaim childhood from Big Tech.
Childhood should be about learning, friendships, and play—not spent scrolling. Access to smartphones and social media can lead to increased anxiety and depression, sleep disruption, limited and fragmented attention, exposure to harmful content and underdeveloped social skills.
Why This Matters
11 years old
The average age of smartphone ownership (Source)
4.8
The average number of hours teens spend on social media daily (Source)
95%
Of teens (ages 13-17) use social media (Source)
Nearly 50%
Of teens say they are online almost constantly (Source)
13 years old
Receiving a smartphone before 13 is associated with poorer mental health outcomes including suicidal thoughts and diminished self-worth. (Source)
Nearly 40%
Of kids between the ages of 8 and 12 ignore platform age restrictions to use social media. (Source)
There’s another way. Delaying smartphones and social media puts real-life connection ahead of screens and children’s wellbeing ahead of tech profits.
It’s a choice that protects childhood, while building the focus, resilience, and relationships kids need to thrive as adults.
What you can do
Watch and share the PSA
Share with friends, schools, and community groups
Watch →
Spark a conversation
with other parents about aligning expectations and delaying together.
Commit to delaying smartphones and social media together.
Join a local parent group
Resources
The Anxious Generation
by Jonathan Haidt: Research informed book that explains how smartphones and social media have rewired childhood
Smartphone Alternatives
from Turning Life On: Helpful guide to the many alternatives to fully-loaded smartphones
Parent Discussion Guide
from Wait til 8th: Talking points and advice for speaking to other parents
Roadmap To Start A Local Parent Group
Step-by-step guide to start a local group and take collective action in your community
We’re here to support you.
Join the SFCxUS WhatsApp group, where a network of parents across the country connect, share ideas, receive real-time support and work together to shift the norm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Just the opposite. Research shows that children who develop strong foundations in focus, creativity, problem-solving, and face-to-face communication are better prepared for adulthood.
Technology is easy to learn once they’re ready, but the core skills that make someone adaptable, resilient, and successful take time to build. By waiting, you’re giving your child the chance to grow those skills first so they’ll be even more prepared when they step into the digital world as an adult.
And delaying must go hand-in-hand with education and digital literacy – like teaching our kids how algorithms shape what they see, how to recognize misinformation, and how to protect their privacy. But we teach these things without handing over a fully-loaded smartphone.
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There are so many great alternatives to fully-featured smartphones (iPhones, Androids) like talk-and-text phones (aka basic/flip phones) and limited-feature phones (Wisephone, Lightphone, Gabb, etc.) These options offer an alternative for families who want their child to have a way to communicate without the risks that come with a full-feature smartphone.
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Experts often suggest waiting until high school for smartphones and 16 for social media. Many parents delay longer or skip them entirely.
The truth is, there’s no safe age. These tools aren’t necessary for childhood and often disrupt it, harming attention, sleep, mental health, self-esteem, and social connection. Since they’re designed for engagement, not well-being, children are especially vulnerable.
Our advice: delay as long as possible. The longer you wait, the better. -
Delaying access allows your child’s brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and self-control, to mature without unnecessary digital pressure. Delaying gives kids more years of face-to-face connection, healthier sleep, stronger focus, and the chance to build resilience before navigating the pressures of social media.
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If you’re reconsidering the decision, know that you’re not alone and it’s never too late to make a change or set new boundaries.
This After Babel post from our friend Andrea Davis at Better Screentime offers some really great advice. “It’s never too early to prepare, and it’s never too late to turn things around.”
Small steps make a big difference. And you don’t have to do it alone! We would love for you to join our community where you can find additional support and advice. Sign up for our newsletter. Join the SFCxUS WhatsApp community.
Join The Movement
Let’s change the norm - together