What's Happening
News & Events
Movement updates, press, and gatherings across Pennsylvania.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
Pennridge Unplugged Monthly Meetings
Thursday, 6:30 PM–8 PM ET
Perkasie
Pennridge Unplugged
Join Our Monthly Meetings Third Thursday of every month • 6:30–8:00 PM Come as you are—whether you’re brand new to Pennridge Unplugged or part of our core planning team. Our monthly meetings are a chance to connect with other parents and community members, hear what’s happening, talk through local opportunities and challenges, and find ways to plug in. It’s a great place to get oriented, share ideas, be energized by others, and help shape the conversation around technology in our schools and homes. Bring a friend, a snack to share, or just yourself. We’d love to have you. Agendas are emailed out through our group listserv. To join that mailing list and get meeting location information, please complete the Google Form.
Details & RSVP →
Monthly WC Unplugged Meeting
Tuesday, 12 PM–1 PM ET
Virtual
West Chester Unplugged
At WC Unplugged, we’re working to raise kids well in a digital age. We believe face-to-face interaction is a cornerstone of mental health, that free play and childhood independence are critical for healthy kids, and that parents should be the architects of family culture, not big tech. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month and rotate between virtual meetings at noon and in-person meetings at 7:00. Google Meet info will be shared with attendees the week of the meeting.
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"Anxious Generation" Parent Book Club & Discussion
Tuesday, 7:30 PM–9 PM ET
Exton Elementary School Library · Exton
West Chester Unplugged
Feeling overwhelmed by screens, smartphones, and social media -- and unsure how to set healthy boundaries for kids? You're not alone. How do we help our kids thrive in a screen-filled world? Join other Exton parents to read and discuss The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Together, we'll explore how technology is reshaping childhood, share what we're experiencing in our own families, and consider practical ways we can support healthier childhoods -- at home and in our community. Busy parent? Read what you can and come anyway! Questions? Contact Emily Scarola (escarola83@gmail.com) All are welcome. This event is hosted by Exton Unplugged and sponsored by the EXE PTO. The WCASD does not sponsor or sanction this program/event/activity.
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Unplug & Play: Highland Orchards Edition
Friday, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM ET
Highland Orchards · West Chester
West Chester Unplugged
Enjoy and afternoon of outdoor fun at Highland Orchards and meet other WC Unplugged families at the farm. Hosted by Fern Hill Unplugged
Details & RSVP →Digital Delusion Community Book Club
Thursday, 6:30 PM–7:30 PM ET
Penn Community Bank · Perkasie
Pennridge Unplugged
Digital Delusion: A Two-Part Community Book Discussion. What happens when technology designed to make life better starts changing how we think, learn, and connect? Join us for a two-part discussion of The Digital Delusion: How Technology Can Be Used to Restore Human Connection by educator and neuroscientist, Paul Leonardi. 📚 October 29 & November 12 | 6:30-7:30pm 📍 In person | Free event For anyone in the Pennridge community who cares about kids and technology—parents, caregivers, educators, staff, administrators, grandparents, etc. Register using the link or QR code. For more Info about the book visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/838437/the-digital-delusion-by-jared-cooney-horvath-phd-med/
Details & RSVP →
Unplug & Play: Field Day Edition at Bacton Hill Park
Tuesday, 2 PM–4 PM ET
Bacton Hill Park · Malvern
West Chester Unplugged
It's election day and schools out! After you vote, come play at Bacton Hill Park. There will be foot races, so wear your running shoes (grownups, too!) and bring a scooter/bike if you like. This event is hosted by MCH Unplugged. All are welcome. Note: This is not a drop off event, please stay and supervise your kids. Weather permitting!
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Greater Philadelphia Alternative Device Fair
Sunday, 2 PM–5 PM ET
Chester County Council - Scouting America · Exton
PA Unplugged
Find Analog Answers — Find Parenting Strategies — Find Free Fun for Kids From smartER phones for kids to phone locks and more, multiple vendors will be on hand to help you choose technology that supports kids' healthy development and suits your family's needs. Speakers will offer real world solutions and practical advice for raising kids well in a digital age. Games and crafts with supervision to keep kids entertained on-site while you explore and learn.
Details & RSVP →
Monthly WC Unplugged Meeting
Tuesday, 7 PM–8:30 PM ET
West Goshen Township Building · West Chester
West Chester Unplugged
At WC Unplugged, we’re working to raise kids well in a digital age. We believe face-to-face interaction is a cornerstone of mental health, that free play and childhood independence are critical for healthy kids, and that parents should be the architects of family culture, not big tech. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month and rotate between virtual meetings at noon and in-person meetings at 7:00.
Details & RSVP →
Monthly WC Unplugged Meeting
Tuesday, 12 PM–1 PM ET
Virtual
West Chester Unplugged
At WC Unplugged, we’re working to raise kids well in a digital age. We believe face-to-face interaction is a cornerstone of mental health, that free play and childhood independence are critical for healthy kids, and that parents should be the architects of family culture, not big tech. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month and rotate between virtual meetings at noon and in-person meetings at 7:00. Google Meet info will be shared with attendees the week of the meeting.
Details & RSVP →Events are hosted by our local groups on Four Norms, our organizing platform. Find your local group →
Press & Coverage
In the News
WITF · Jul 14, 2026
Central Pa. schools see cell phone ban benefits before statewide law
As Pennsylvania moves closer to a statewide bell-to-bell school cell phone ban, WITF reports on central PA schools already seeing benefits. The article names PA Unplugged and quotes the group's Kristen Bedard, who describes positive feedback from parents and teachers about restricting personal devices during the school day.
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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.
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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.
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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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