Over 300 Lower Merion families are saying no to smartphones – for now, writes Beccah Hendrickson for 6ABC Action News.
The ‘Wait Until 8th’ movement, a pledge to withhold smartphones from their kids until high school, is gaining momentum.
Local dad, John Bellis read The Anxious Generation, which outlines the toll smartphones and social media takes on youth. “The evidence is overwhelming,” he said. “There’s depression, or suicide, or anything under the sun has all been going down ever since the smartphone came out.”
After researching the national ‘Wait Until 8th’ campaign, Bellis began organizing in his school community. The concept is simple: once 10 families in the same district take the pledge, the campaign becomes ‘active’.
Parents like Aly Cunningham are also spreading the message. “I grew up without (phones),” she said. “And I know how to look somebody in the eye and shake their hands and have a conversation with an adult.”
Child psychologists note that smartphones features like font-facing cameras and constant access to social media are reshaping how kids see themselves, often fueling anxiety.
The hope is that more Montco children can have more real-life connection and healthier mental development.
Read more about the ‘Wait Until 8th’ campaign spreading across the Lower Merion School District in 6 ABC Action News.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in June 2025.
