Your #1 Question Answered

Oct 15, 2025

The Whole Story in 60 Seconds

First, have you seen Smartphone Free Childhood’s genius PSA???

I made the pledge! Now what do I do?

The number one question I’m hearing from parents is, “What do I do after taking the pledge?” This is a great place to start and here are some more ideas!

You’ve Got Mail

If you’ve had an active pledge in your grade (10+ parent sign ups) you will receive an email with the names and emails of the other parents in your grade who also signed the pledge. Create an email list of the parents who signed the pledge in your grade and ask parents in other grades who had an active pledge to forward their emails as well. Now you have 10, 20, 30 or more emails of parents who are also committed to delaying the smartphone, wow!

WhatsApp is Where It’s At

For better or worse, WhatsApp groups are where all the action is at school. I died laughing at this parody, but honestly I’d be lost without all the reminders and info shared on my school WhatsApp groups. Since all the parents are already used to checking WhatsApp for school-related content, I highly recommend making one for the parents interested in delaying smartphones!

Book It

Next, set the date for a book club! Pick an accessible book like The Anxious Generation, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, or any number of great options! Check out more suggestions here. Speak with the school about hosting the first book club on campus and pick a date/time two months out.

Now you have the following:

1. An email list of parents at your school who signed the pledge

2. A WhatsApp group parents can join

3. An event to invite parents to

Let’s Get This Party Started!

It’s time to spread the word - use every platform possible!

Create an event flyer using a Canva template with the book, date, time, location, email to RSVP, and a QR code to join the WhatsApp.
Email the list of parents who made the pledge inviting them to both the book club (request RSVPs to gauge attendance) and the WhatsApp group (include the link to join). Include the flyer image and encourage them to share!
Ask to add the book club to the school newsletter every week leading up to the event and include the WhatsApp link in your event description. Or, if possible, use the flyer graphic!
Ask room parents to include your newsletter blurb (book club details, email to RSVP, and WhatsApp link) or flyer in their emails.
Post the event info and flyer image in all the school WhatsApps you belong to and encourage others in the group to share.
Post your flyer on the school bulletin board.
Ask parents in your daily interactions if they’ll be joining and encourage them to listen to the audio version or attend even if they don’t finish! The book club is about starting a conversation, not completing an assignment.

The Time Has Come

Look at how far you’ve come! The moment has arrived to have the book club discussion. Maybe ten parents show up - amazing! You’ve probably also emailed back and forth with parents and watched your WhatsApp numbers steadily climb along the way. I bet you’ve had some great in-person conversations leading up to this too. This is how you build community! After the book club discussion, be sure to encourage everyone in attendance to spread the word and invite other parents to the WhatsApp group.

It only takes one passionate parent at a school to spark the discussion, bring like minded parents together, and create a forum to share ideas.

You Are Not Alone

In the last few months, parents at your school have signed the Wait Until 8th pledge, received an email from you, joined the WhatsApp group, heard about this group all over school (newsletter, room parent email, bulletin board, word of mouth), and attended the book club gathering. Suddenly, there’s major buzz in the school community and more parents are inquiring about the pledge, joining the discussion, and sharing their ideas.

Keep Going!

Keep the WhatsApp active - share articles, social media posts, and news stories on topics related to kids and technology (trust me, you’ll never run out of content!). Note: new members cannot see previous messages so it might be helpful to offer a monthly recap of what has been shared to keep everyone in the loop.
Have a meeting - schedule a post-drop off coffee meet up for parents to share ideas in person.
Host another book club!
Set up a table at school events and share handouts like these resources to print. You can even have a local outdoor camp or other phone-free activity sponsor the booth to help with your school’s fundraising efforts!
Do you have a forum at your school to talk to other parents like a PTA? Give a presentation on the importance of delaying smartphones and the latest data on the harms of social media, AI, and device addiction.
Comment at school board meetings. LAUSD has a Phone-Free School Day policy, but if your district hasn’t banned smartphones at school yet this is a great opportunity to make your voice heard. Even if your district has banned phones during the day, harmful content and distracting non-educational apps may still be accessible. Check out some examples from LAUSD parent-led, Schools Beyond Screens and please feel free to reach out for help signing up or preparing your statement - waituntil8thla@gmail.com.

Link Up With Your Local Chapter!

Join forces with Wait Until 8th L.A. - subscribe to this newsletter, follow our instagram, and email waituntil8thla@gmail.com to share your experiences and ideas.

Here are some ideas we’re considering…

An alternative device fair - representatives from smartphone alternative brands demo their products for parents.
Film screening! There are so many great documentaries on these issues - let’s gather and discuss.
A panel with local experts - we have so many great ones right here in L.A.!

Parents Are Powerful

This is a global issue and the culture has shifted dramatically in recent years towards delaying smartphones because parents just like you are raising awareness and connecting with parents in your community. School by school we are turning the tide and making positive changes for the next generation of kids!