FAQs | ReConnect

Much of the national attention is on the impacts of social media on teens, but as of 2021 43% of 8-12-year-olds already owned a smartphone. While parents wanting their children to eventually be able to call or text them is understandable, early access to smartphones and social media in particular (including on tablets) is a different animal altogether. Research suggests that it is the primary cause of the epidemic-level rises in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide among kids aged 10-14 in recent years. Even the Surgeon General recently issued an advisory warning about possible harm for young people.

Couldn’t there be other causes of this rise in problems?

Sure, but almost none of them seem to hold up. And the harms are particularly pronounced for girls. Here is some more discussion on popular counter-claims. It seems pretty clear that the longer we can wait, the better.

Yes! Fortunately there is a groundswell of activity taking place in communities and schools across the country around delaying the time when our children are given smartphones and sent out into the world of social media. Schools are enacting policies to remove the pressures of cellphones from kids, legislation is being pushed to hold social media companies accountable for not limiting access to minors, and parent groups like ours are coming together in efforts to protect the notion of children being able to carry out normal childhoods full of play, interaction, and social growth while holding off on smart phones until after puberty when their brains are more developed and capable of making decisions for themselves.

Yes, they are! Remember that this movement is focused specifically on smartphones and social media. So a flip phone for calling/texting you that they’re done with practice? Sure! A child-specific phone or watch for checking in on their location as they assume more freedom? No problem! Check out this great list of alternatives to smartphones so that your family can still keep in touch, coordinate rides, and allow your kids to experience some of the wonders of digital connectivity.

Many parents in our community are choosing to forgo communication devices for our kids. By building a community of families who are making the decision to hold off on smartphone adoption, we can give our children the kind of childhood we experienced - one where kids get together face to face, and live life in person.

As a parent, it is never too late to change your mind or to set new limits. As we learn more we can always set new boundaries. You can also work with your kids to establish family rules that protect them from the common dangers online and spend some time learning how parental controls work. Consider the Take Control checklist from the Center for Humane Technology.

We have a list of resources available on our ‘Resources’ page!
Talk to someone just finishing high school, a recent grad, or friends with older kids. Ask them how social media affects their life, how much of their day is spent on a cell phone, and whether they would have benefited from delaying their entry into social media.