Let Kids Be Kids Longer
You can make a difference. You can say yes to waiting.
Signing this pledge promises not to give your child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade, as long as at least 10 families total from your child’s grade and school pledge. If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts, you still can sign the pledge! The basic phone avoids many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
Once 10 families have pledged from your child’s grade, you will be notified that the pledge is activated! Wait Until 8th will email you and the other parents who have signed from your child’s grade to connect you with each other. You will receive a list of families delaying from your child’s grade and parent emails to connect your group. This helps you to support one another. There is strength in numbers!
Signing this pledge promises not to give your child a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade, as long as at least 10 families total from your child’s grade and school pledge. If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts, you still can sign the pledge! The basic phone avoids many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.
Once 10 families have pledged from your child’s grade, you will be notified that the pledge is activated! Wait Until 8th will email you and the other parents who have signed from your child’s grade to connect you with each other. You will receive a list of families delaying from your child’s grade and parent emails to connect your group. This helps you to support one another. There is strength in numbers!
A statement from Nat Vaughn
Co-Chair of the Medfield Public Schools Mobile Technology Task Force
"As mobile technology becomes increasingly integrated into students’ daily lives, Medfield Public Schools is committed to ensuring that its use supports both learning and student well-being. While technology offers clear educational benefits, it also brings complex challenges for students, families, and educators—academically, socially, and emotionally.
To thoughtfully address these opportunities and concerns, Medfield Public Schools convened a Mobile Technology Task Force supported by district leadership and facilitated through shared collaboration. In its first year, the Task Force was co-facilitated by Nat Vaughn, Principal of Blake Middle School, and Holli Caulfield, former Principal of Wheelock School, who retired at the end of the last school year. In Year 2, Mary Bruhl, Director of Student Services, stepped into the role of co-facilitator alongside Nat, in partnership with Dr. Marsden, Superintendent of Medfield Public Schools.
Now in its second year, the Task Force serves as a collaborative forum bringing together students, parents, educators, and members of the Medfield School Committee to examine the role of mobile technology in our schools and community.
The Task Force’s work focuses on evaluating how mobile technology impacts instruction, learning, and social-emotional well-being; exploring ways to support families in managing technology at home; considering whether policy updates are needed to best support student success; and addressing related topics raised by participants. These conversations extend beyond devices alone, encompassing social media, student belonging, peer relationships, and the broader social and parenting impacts of technology.
In its second year, the Task Force has organized into focused subgroups examining Community Norms, Handbooks and Policies, Parent Support and Education, and School Curriculum. This work is also aligned with the community-led Wait Until 8th initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting healthy technology use among young adolescents.
While the work is complex and there are no simple solutions, the ongoing collaboration has been productive and meaningful. The Mobile Technology Task Force reflects Medfield’s strong community investment in its youth—grounded in thoughtful dialogue, shared responsibility, and a collective effort to support students in a rapidly changing digital world."
Co-Chair of the Medfield Public Schools Mobile Technology Task Force
"As mobile technology becomes increasingly integrated into students’ daily lives, Medfield Public Schools is committed to ensuring that its use supports both learning and student well-being. While technology offers clear educational benefits, it also brings complex challenges for students, families, and educators—academically, socially, and emotionally.
To thoughtfully address these opportunities and concerns, Medfield Public Schools convened a Mobile Technology Task Force supported by district leadership and facilitated through shared collaboration. In its first year, the Task Force was co-facilitated by Nat Vaughn, Principal of Blake Middle School, and Holli Caulfield, former Principal of Wheelock School, who retired at the end of the last school year. In Year 2, Mary Bruhl, Director of Student Services, stepped into the role of co-facilitator alongside Nat, in partnership with Dr. Marsden, Superintendent of Medfield Public Schools.
Now in its second year, the Task Force serves as a collaborative forum bringing together students, parents, educators, and members of the Medfield School Committee to examine the role of mobile technology in our schools and community.
The Task Force’s work focuses on evaluating how mobile technology impacts instruction, learning, and social-emotional well-being; exploring ways to support families in managing technology at home; considering whether policy updates are needed to best support student success; and addressing related topics raised by participants. These conversations extend beyond devices alone, encompassing social media, student belonging, peer relationships, and the broader social and parenting impacts of technology.
In its second year, the Task Force has organized into focused subgroups examining Community Norms, Handbooks and Policies, Parent Support and Education, and School Curriculum. This work is also aligned with the community-led Wait Until 8th initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting healthy technology use among young adolescents.
While the work is complex and there are no simple solutions, the ongoing collaboration has been productive and meaningful. The Mobile Technology Task Force reflects Medfield’s strong community investment in its youth—grounded in thoughtful dialogue, shared responsibility, and a collective effort to support students in a rapidly changing digital world."
TIPS FOR SIGNING THE PLEDGE:
Before you sign the pledge, here’s what you need to know to ensure your form is completed accurately and your pledge is connected to others in your community:
Before you sign the pledge, here’s what you need to know to ensure your form is completed accurately and your pledge is connected to others in your community:
- Your child must be in kindergarten or above
- Pledges are for US residents only at this time
- School information matters - select Medfield, MA, and find your student's current and upcoming school. Be sure to not to use abbreviations as they may not aggregate.
- Only one parent is needed to sign, one time. On July 1st, your student will be promoted to the next grade.
- You’ll receive a welcome email with helpful tips on how to spread the word in your community.
👉 Check out our resources here. - You'll receive another email when your pledge becomes active (requires 10 families from the same grade and school).
- If your child’s grade already has an active pledge, you'll receive Thursday email updates if someone new joins the group.
Check out more resources at some of the following links:
- Wait Until 8th information and resources:
- Website - waituntil8th.org
- Wait Until 8th Blog
- Find "Wait Until 8th" on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
- Or join the local Medfield Wait Until 8th Facebook group for local information!
- Digital Resources, including but not limited to: Family Conversation Guides, Parental Controls, App Safety, and more
- Some other helpful websites:
