With smartphones becoming nearly ubiquitous across the country, what age to give one to children is becoming a debate among parents.
A national organization is pushing families to take a pledge to "Wait Until 8th." The organization urges communities and schools to work together to keep smartphones out of the hands of kids until eighth grade, by having parents sign an online pledge. It suggests the more families in a school take the pledge, the less pressure children will feel to get a smartphone.
Wait Until 8th argues smartphones are changing childhood, by making kids less likely to play outside, hang out with friends and family, and read. It also calls smartphones can distract kids from school and affect their sleep.
The organization says families can get their kids older cell phones, like flip phones, and still sign the pledge.
