The no-phone childhood movement
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Parents around the globe are banding together to keep their kids away from smartphones.
Why it matters: Study after study has detailed the stress and anxiety kids and teens deal with as a result of smartphone and social media use.
- But smartphones are ubiquitous. Half the kids in the U.S. own one by age 11, according to Common Sense. And most have smartphones by 13.
Zoom in: An organization in the U.S. called "Wait Until 8th" is gaining traction. The group offers a playbook to communities of parents who want to sign pledges to hold off on getting their kids smartphones until at least eighth grade.
- 54 pledges were established in 16 states in April alone, The New York Times reports.
- Each pledge was signed by at least 10 families.
In Spain, a parent-led group called "Adolescence Free of Mobile Phones" has picked up 10,000 members around the country, AP reports.
- They're trying to keep smartphones at bay until kids turn 16.
- The Spanish government has also stepped in, banning smartphones from all elementary schools.
In Britain, a WhatsApp community called "Parents United for a Smartphone-Free Childhood" has a chat group for every county in the country.
The bottom line: It's hard to avoid buying preteens and teens smartphones when all of their classmates and neighborhood friends are getting and using them.
- Parents say acting collectively makes it far easier to say no.
