We are a statewide coalition working toward a cultural shift in our approach to screens & social media during childhood and adolescence.

Collective action starts here.

We are a group of 20+ grassroots organizations, representing 3000+ Pennsylvanians across 10 counties and counting.

We are Pennsylvania parents—many of us also educators, medical providers, lawyers, and mental health professionals—concerned about the evolution of the screen-based childhood. What began as parallel grassroots efforts in the spring of 2024 has grown into a statewide coalition, united to drive real change for Pennsylvania’s children.

We are not anti-technology. When used with intention and purpose, we believe it can be a powerful tool. And, we also believe childhood needs to be protected in our increasingly digital world.

PA Unplugged advocates for change in homes, schools, and communities; specifically, we are rallying around phone-free schools, stronger online safety laws for children, a closer look at the role of technology in the classroom, delaying smartphones and social media, and restoring time for kids to play freely and grow independently. We want every child to have the freedom to explore, play, and engage deeply with the world around them, while developing resilience, curiosity, empathy, and confidence along the way.

While technology continues to advance faster than society can adapt, the power of collective action remains our greatest tool for change.

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We are pushing back against the screen-based childhood.

By age 4, more than half (58%) of children have their own tablet. By age 8, nearly 1 in 4 children have their own cellphone.

Source: Common Sense Media
For mobile phones and social media, both high and increasing addictive use were associated with 2-3x greater risk of suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation. Nearly 1 in 2 kids demonstrated “high addictive use” with mobile phones, 1 in 3 with social media, and over 40% with video games.

JAMA Study, 2025
4.8 hours. The amount of time the average teen spends on social media each day. That is nearly 35 hours per week — close to a full-time job.

U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 2025

We are a statewide coalition working toward a cultural shift in our approach to screens & social media during childhood and adolescence.

Collective action starts here.

We are a group of 20+ grassroots organizations, representing 3000+ Pennsylvanians across 10 counties and counting.

By age 4, more than half (58%) of children have their own tablet. By age 8, nearly 1 in 4 children have their own cellphone.

For mobile phones and social media, both high and increasing addictive use were associated with 2-3x greater risk of suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation. Nearly 1 in 2 kids demonstrated “high addictive use” with mobile phones, 1 in 3 with social media, and over 40% with video games.

4.8 hours. The amount of time the average teen spends on social media each day. That is nearly 35 hours per week — close to a full-time job.

PA Unplugged works closely with the following national organizations and thought leaders for continued mentorship, resources, and shared knowledge.