What's Happening
News & Events
Movement updates, press, and gatherings across Pennsylvania.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
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July Play Meetup: Creek Exploration
Sunday, 2 PM–4 PM ET
Maurice Saul Wildlife Sanctuary · Rose Valley
Delco Unplugged
Join us for a hands-on afternoon at the creek! This is a chance for kids and families to slow down, get their feet wet, and discover what's living right in our backyard. We'll wade in together and see what we can find: tadpoles, small fish, and other creek critters. What to bring: - Sneakers you don't mind getting wet/muddy - Change of clothes/shoes for after - Towel
Details & RSVP →
Storytime at Reads & Company with Ms. Izzi
Saturday, 10 AM–11 AM ET
TBD
Wait Until 8th - Phoenixville
Join Natalie Izzi, kindergarten teacher at PAELC, as she reads her books "Your Friend Brainy" and "Brainy's Magic." Natalie Izzi has a Masters in Education and brings 12 years of experience in teaching children and adults the art of self-regulation through a unique blend of neuroscience, mindfulness, and restorative practices. Her books are engaging and interactive, and introduce children to neuroscience concepts to help them understand and manage their emotions.
Details & RSVP →
VIRTUAL PASD School Board Meeting
Tuesday, 6 PM–7 PM ET
Virtual
Wait Until 8th - Phoenixville
Please note that you will need to pre-register to receive the link for the Teams meeting, and also pre-register your public comment. Public comment will take place immediately at the START of the meeting, which is different from other meetings we've attended. See below for the full PASD post about this event: Special Meeting of the PASD Board of School Directors July 28, 2026 - 6 p.m. The Phoenixville Area School District Board of School Directors will meet virtually on July 28, 2026 at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to finalize the 2026-27 Strategic Plan and Superintendent Goals and to approve the most recent Personnel report. Attendees should pre-register to receive the meeting link and to sign up for public comment prior to July 28 at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment instructions: All public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person. Due to the virtual nature of this meeting, all public comment MUST be pre-registered by July 28, 5:30 p.m. Public comment on any school subject will take place at the start of the meeting at 6 p.m. that evening. Participants who wish to speak will be unmuted by a moderator. Cameras for all public speakers will be turned on during the public comment period. Register for the Special Meeting on July 28 - https://trst.in/eXrp3S
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WC Unplugged Presents: The Amazing Generation Kids' Book Club
Saturday, 10 AM–12 PM ET
Chester County United Way · Exton
PA Unplugged
Pick up a copy of this AMAZING book for tweens and young teens that teaches them to take control of their technology use. It makes a great coffee table book or dinner conversation starter. Meet other families who are reading this book this summer at our AMAZING Book Club for Kids - one meeting only! Please RSVP at the link provided. Reach out to Kerry Ann Mai (kerryannmai@gmail.com) with questions.
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The Unplugged Book Club: Dopamine Kids - Part 2
Tuesday, 7 PM–8 PM ET
Celia Bookshop · Swarthmore
Delco Unplugged
Back by popular demand: we're continuing our discussion of Michaeleen Doucleff's Dopamine Kids! Our June conversation only scratched the surface, so we're picking it back up for Part 2 in August. Bring your hot takes! Join us August 4, 7–8pm at Celia Bookshop. Space is limited; please RSVP! You haven't read the book yet? No problem, you're still welcome to come. You can order it from Celia Bookshop here: https://www.celiabookshop.com/item/gQpiPqSJBXhSBkZNo6mzYg
Details & RSVP →
PXV First Friday
Friday, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM ET
TBD
Wait Until 8th - Phoenixville
Join us at our Wait Until 8th Table as we talk to families about our mission and goals. We will be in the Kids Zone parking lot with the Phoenixville Rec Center, and will have snacks, crafts and flyers to hand out.
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August Play Meetup: Creek Exploration
Sunday, 2 PM–4 PM ET
Newlin Grist Mill · Glen Mills
Delco Unplugged
Join us for a hands-on afternoon at the creek! This is a chance for kids and families to slow down, get their feet wet, and discover what's living right in our backyard. We'll wade in together and see what we can find: tadpoles, small fish, and other creek critters. What to bring: - Sneakers you don't mind getting wet/muddy - Change of clothes/shoes for after - Towel
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Summer Park Party!
Sunday, 12 PM–3 PM ET
War Memorial Park - Pavilion 1 · Sewickley
Sewickley Unplugged
Catch up with friends, eat pizza and popsicles, play games, and celebrate summer reading accomplishments! Bring proof of summer reading (analog or online) to enter to win the raffle prize. This is a device-free event. Please leave all phones and tablets at home or in your car.
Details & RSVP →Foundation Day
Sunday, 10 AM–1 PM ET
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School · Plymouth Meeting
Wait Until 8th - Colonial School District
Stop by our table at Foundation Day! We'll have information for parents on coming together to delay smartphones and social media, plus some crafts and treats for the kids.
Details & RSVP →Events are hosted by our local groups on Four Norms, our organizing platform. Find your local group →
Press & Coverage
In the News
TribLive · Jun 13, 2026
Debate surrounding elementary school screen time reverberates throughout Western Pa.
The elementary screen time debate spreads across Western Pennsylvania, featuring PA Unplugged's push to end constant 1:1 device access, especially in elementary schools.
Read →
Government Technology · May 7, 2026
Tech Regulation, Skepticism Growing in Pennsylvania Schools
PA Unplugged's parent survey (77% say school screen time is excessive) is prompting districts like Canon-McMillan to drop Chromebooks in younger grades. Quotes co-lead Kristen Beddard.
Read →
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette · May 6, 2026
Pittsburgh-area school districts adjust use of technology as parents push back on screen time
Pittsburgh-area districts rethink classroom technology as families, including PA Unplugged parents, push back on screen time.
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NorthcentralPA.com · Apr 14, 2026
A coalition pushes lawmakers to curb youth social media harm
Coverage of the coalition urging lawmakers to curb addictive social media features. Mention of PA Unplugged not yet verified (site rate-limited during checking) - confirm before publishing.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer · Mar 24, 2026
Some Lower Merion parents want to 'opt out' of Chromebooks in classrooms. The district says they can't.
Lower Merion parents push back on classroom Chromebooks over gaming, AI cheating, and inappropriate content. Features PA Unplugged's statewide campaign for intentional device use.
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Altoona Mirror · Mar 19, 2026
Student cellphone use 'catastrophic' for taxpayers
PA Unplugged leaders Kelly Marsh and Kristen Beddard make the economic case for the statewide phone ban: students spend roughly a third of the school day on phones, wasting education dollars.
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TribLive · Feb 24, 2026
Town hall about proposed Pennsylvania cellphone ban in schools draws crowd
Over 60 people turn out in Fox Chapel to discuss HB1814's bell-to-bell ban, with PA Unplugged co-leader Kelly Marsh on the panel alongside Reps. Mandy Steele and Jill Cooper.
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FOX 29 Philadelphia · Feb 5, 2026
PA Unplugged on Good Day Philadelphia: the school cellphone ban
Sen. Vincent Hughes and PA Unplugged's Alex Becker discuss the newly passed legislation restricting cellphone use in Pennsylvania schools.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer · Feb 2, 2026
Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to ban cell phones from Pa. schools
Gov. Shapiro proposes a statewide school phone ban with rare bipartisan backing. Quotes parent groups including Delco Unplugged on delaying phones and supporting district bans.
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Kidsburgh · Nov 17, 2025
Keeping kids safe: PA Unplugged visits Harrisburg to discuss the many benefits of phone-free schools
Kidsburgh covers PA Unplugged's trip to Harrisburg to support legislation mandating phone-free schools.
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CBS News Pittsburgh · Nov 17, 2025
Pittsburgh-area parents travel to Harrisburg to support phone-free school legislation
PA Unplugged parents attend the State House Education Committee hearing on the phone-free schools bill, where experts testified on distraction and emergency safety.
Read →Sen. Steve Santarsiero · Oct 3, 2025
Community Discussion: Cell Phone-Free Schools
Recap of the community discussion on bell-to-bell phone-free schools, including why access during breaks undermines the benefits of a full-day policy.
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Bucks County Beacon · Sep 26, 2025
State Senator Steve Santarsiero Hosts Panel and Community Discussion on Cell Phone-Free Schools
Educators, advocates, and students at Bucks County Community College discuss bell-to-bell legislation that would put PA alongside the 27 states already restricting phones in school.
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TribLive · Sep 22, 2025
Panel at Sewickley Public Library discusses student cellphone use in school
PA Unplugged education lead Kelly Marsh joins Rep. Chris Deluzio and Sen. Devlin Robinson to discuss phone distraction in schools. Deluzio's survey found 76% of respondents favor phone-free schools.
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KDKA Talk Pittsburgh · Aug 27, 2025
Statewide coalition works to shift how kids use phones
PA Unplugged joins Talk Pittsburgh to talk about how smartphones are shaping the way kids learn and connect, and what parents can do about it.
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CBS News Pittsburgh · Aug 26, 2025
Pittsburgh-area leaders and teachers discuss phones in schools at roundtable
At Rep. Deluzio's roundtable, PA Unplugged's Dr. Kelly Marsh presents the research case for bell-to-bell phone-free policies as Sen. Robinson pursues statewide legislation.
Read →
The Philadelphia Inquirer · Aug 14, 2025
More parents are saying no to smartphones for kids
The Inquirer covers the delay movement in the Philadelphia suburbs, featuring Delco Unplugged, PA Unplugged's policy trackers, and founder Alex Becker on the attention crisis.
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