Collective Action Starts Here.

PA Unplugged is a statewide coalition working towards a cultural shift around electronic devices & social media and their impact on childhood and adolescence.

110 families & 250 children have signed the commitment!

We believe:

  • Technology can be a powerful tool when used intentionally and with purpose

  • Childhood is being stolen by screen time

  • Kids thrive through real-world play and face-to-face connection

  • The longer we wait to give children devices, the healthier they will be

  • Schools should be places to learn, not marketplaces for tech companies

  • Teachers shouldn't have to play phone police, and students deserve classrooms free from distractions

What is PA Unplugged?

  • A hub for collective action

    PA Unplugged brings together local efforts across Pennsylvania into one unified space. While local initiatives should continue to grow and thrive, PA Unplugged provides the infrastructure to connect them — amplifying impact, supporting coordination, and showing legislators that this is a growing statewide movement.

  • A unified voice for policy change

    Our legislative team meets regularly with Pennsylvania lawmakers to advocate for policies that support phone-free school days and stronger online safety standards for kids.

    The PA Unplugged Commitment shows legislators and local schools that families are already making changes at home, and that they’re ready to see those changes reflected in school policies, too.

  • A source of support and resources

    We curate and share trusted tools, research, and educational resources to strengthen existing local efforts and help support new ones. Cultural change starts with awareness and we’re here to equip parents, educators, and advocates with the information they need to take action in their own communities.

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

Technology is disrupting childhood. We are pushing back.

  • 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