Pledge

What is Village to Raise?

Village to Raise is a parent-led initiative, not tied to any one school, but united by a shared goal: raising the first fully digital generation with intention. We are not only raising a generation of kids growing up with smart devices, social media, and AI — we are also a new generation of parents, aware of the dangers, reading the data, and the research behind it all. There’s no ancestral wisdom for digital-age parenting. No roadmap. But uniting and learning together is how we find our way. Village to Raise is our response: A space to learn, support one another, and make bold, connected choices to protect childhood in the digital age.

Our Mission

We support families in navigating the unique challenges of raising children in a digital world by:
Building a community of tech-conscious parents who share support and insights.
Collaborating with schools to foster safer, smarter digital habits for the next generation.
Growing together through research, global practices, and expert guidance.
In the first 48 hours, over 300 families have joined us.

You’re not alone — we’re raising the first fully digital generation, together.

What is the Wait Until 9th Grade Pledge?

The pledge is a starting point. A shared commitment among parents to delay personal smartphones and social media for our children until at least 9th grade. It’s not about prohibition — it’s about pausing, responsability, unity, intention, and courage. We believe that together, we can raise a generation that is healthier, more present, and better prepared.

📌 Why? The average recommended age for smartphones and social media is around 15-16yrs, according to psychologists. Delaying access promotes healthier development and reduces the pressures and mental health issues associated with early smartphone and social media use.

📱Note: Choosing a basicphone, startphone or watch (for calls, texts, GPS) You can still sign the pledge!

👉 If dont see your school yet, send us a message—we’ll help you get started!

📜 The Pledge

We believe childhood is worth protecting. As parents, we see how smartphones and social media—while powerful tools—can deeply impact our children’s mental health, sleep, focus, and ability to build real-life relationships. In a world moving too fast, we choose to slow down—together.

We pledge to wait until high school before giving our child a smartphone or allowing access to social media (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, etc.).

We commit to supporting other families in this decision so that no parent or child feels alone.

This isn’t about rejecting technology — it’s about waiting until our kids are ready to use it responsibly, with maturity and intention.

✨ We talk openly with other families about these choices
✨ We build community around shared values
✨ We lead with courage, not comparison

We’re not alone. We’re raising them — together.