TY FOR TCAPS

Hilary Gessner, an Eastern Elementary mom, is helping to raise awareness about a new Wait Until 8th initiative in Traverse City.

Currently, there are 45 local families who have taken the pledge, contributing to a growing nationwide movement with over 90,000 pledges.

Parents everywhere are increasingly concerned about the impact of smartphones, social media, and the rapid loss of childhood experiences.

Wait Until 8th empowers families to take collective action by pledging to delay giving their children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. The initiative thrives on community support—and Traverse City is embracing it!

Here’s how it works: Once 10 kids in the same grade at the same school commit to waiting, the pledge becomes active.

Want to help your TCAPS school get involved?

Learn more and take the pledge here: waituntil8th.org/take-the-pledge