In today’s digital age, children are growing up online before they even have a chance to experience the real world. Social media, endless scrolling, and constant notifications are reshaping childhood—and not for the better. That’s why we are coming together as parents through Unplug. Play. Grow. to delay giving our children smartphones until the age of 14/15 and social media until 16. 
 
Why Wait?

The research is clear: early access to smartphones and social media is linked to declining mental health, reduced attention spans, and weakened real-world relationships.

• Social Media and Mental Health: Studies show that social media use in children and teens is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Jonathan Haidt, author of *The Anxious Generation*, states:  
    “A smartphone is a device that delivers distractions, temptations, and social comparison to children all day and all night.”
• Attention Span & Learning:The constant stimulation of screens rewires young brains, making it harder for kids to focus, read deeply, or engage in creative play. Research suggests that the more time children spend on screens, the less capable they are of sustained attention.
• Relationships & Real-World Experience: Childhood should be filled with play, exploration, and face-to-face connection, yet many kids are missing out on these fundamental experiences. Instead of forming strong in-person friendships, they are interacting through filtered versions of reality online.  

 
The Early Years Parents Focus Group at San Anton School began this movement because  we don’t have all the answers—but together, we can find them. This isn’t about being perfect or judging other parents. It’s about coming together to support each other in making the best choices for our kids. As our community grows, we will share strategies, learn from experts, and create a space where kids can thrive offline and in the real world.

Join Us—Sign the Pledge

By joining us, you are expressing your interest in delaying your child’s first smartphone until at least age of 14/15 and joining a community of parents who believe in protecting childhood. Together, we can change the cultural norm and give our kids the childhood they deserve.
 
Let’s reclaim childhood. Let’s unplug, play, and grow.  

By signing the pledge, you are joining a movement of like-minded parents who are pro- childhood and are keen to urge lawmakers to regulate smartphones – encouraging far stronger universal, mandatory controls including age verification at a device and content level before age 16.

More information: https://unplugplaygrow.mt