Wait Until Eighth urges parents in a community or school to sign a pledge and rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least eighth grade. Banding together, Wait Until Eighth says, will decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents for kids to have a smartphone. For parents who want their child to be able to contact them, there are basic phones available that just do calls and texting. These phones avoid many of the distractions and dangers of a smartphone.
In addition to delaying giving a child a smartphone, another good practice is to have the child sign a contract or written agreement with the parents. The contract lays out specific usage rules, replacement responsibility, accountability, and more. These contracts give parents an opportunity to have a great discussion and actively involve the child in what the expectations are.
