More parents are saying no to smartphones for kids
“Delco Unplugged” stickers and information about the organization rests on a table near Alex Becker, founder of Delco Unplugged, in Rose Valley on Sunday.
August 14, 2025 - by Denali Sagner and Maddie Hanna, The Philadelphia Inquirer - Groups like Delco Unplugged and Wait Until 8th are asking parents to delay giving kids smartphones, pushing back against what they say is a crushing social pressure around technology and social media.
Excerpt:
From the classroom to Harrisburg
Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia require school districts to ban or restrict students’ use of cell phones, according to a tally by Education Week. Pennsylvania does not have a ban.
Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2024 signed into law a multimillion-dollar pilot program for schools to purchase lockable smartphone bags to use during the day. Only 18 school districts requested funds for the bags.
Becker has helped expand Delco Unplugged and PA Unplugged, a statewide coalition. The group has a live tracker of school districts’ cell phone policies and advocates for model legislationbanning cell phones and other electronics in schools.
Lev said he sees multiple “silos” of parent groups organizing around slightly different efforts. If like-minded parents can come together and amplify their message, he said, the movement will be more successful in growing.
Becker emphasized that PA Unplugged doesn’t want to bar kids from communicating. In November, the group will host a regional alternative device fair, where parents will be able to learn about “kid-safe” devices like Troomi and Tin Can phones. Those devices include limited-capacity smartphones and modern takes on the landline, which Becker said can teach independence, foster friendship, and help parents reach their kids.
“There’s an attention crisis. Kids are not able to focus in lectures. Kids are not reading books anymore. I think people are sounding the alarm. I think it’s parents’ job to do this,” Becker said. “We are the first line of defense.”
