ABOUT THE PLEDGE

WHO

Anyone under the age of 18, with an emphasis of targeting kids prior to entering middle school.

WHAT

This is a pledge for preteens/teens to agree to not participate in online social media platforms and applications.

WHY

To reduce screen time on devices
To prevent social media-caused anxiety/depression/disorders
To encourage face to face or other interactive communications
To avoid the responsibility/consequences of permanent online actions
To reduce cyber-bullying and public shaming
To prevent personal, sensitive, disturbing or inappropriate information from being widely and publically distributed
To prevent false or defaming information from being distributed
To encourage kids to learn the skill of making new friends and maintaining relationships with those in their school/community/sports
To maintain privacy and avoid unauthorized interactions with unknown individuals
To encourage quality family interactions and relationships
To give kids a way to disconnect/take a break, by not having social interactions constantly available

HOW IT STARTED

One day, our family was discussing device/screen rules in anticipation of a member of our family getting a phone for her 12th birthday. Part of the discussion was whether we were going to allow social media apps. This led our family to revisit the content in 2 documentarties we had previously watched: "Screenagers" & "Like" as well as the book "Disconnected" by Thomas Kersting.

We found that there seemed to be a lot of negative consequences to having social media at the fingertips of young kids whose brains are still in the process of developing. For some, social media places a responsibility and burden on its users to consider unknown and permanent consequences. Once something is documented or memorialized, it can't be taken back or removed. Once something is shared, it is subject to widespread and public distribution.

Our parents have shared with us that they find themselves having certain emotions surrounding what they see on social media as well as some addictions to "checking their feeds constantly"...and they didn't even grow up with this as their norm. Some of the information is helpful and informative...but a lot of it is not. If they, as adults, who have full brain development, can feel anxious, depressed and left out, imagine how we (young kids) without life experiences and comparisons have the potential to feel.

And so the SM@RT PLEDGE was formed!

This is not a parent-led revolution! And it is not an anti-device movement. We have decided that we don't want the responsibility, the pressure or risks involved with social media. We want to be part of a generation who views social media as a second thought, something informative rather than necessary for relationships. We want to be able to disconnect and learn that we don't have to be seen, heard or part of everything to have fulfilling friendships. We want to form organic and genuine relationships and we don't have faith that they can do that through the lens of social media.

Obviously, nothing changes for a generation if only a few make the change and we know it will take awhile for this to catch on (and it may not). But for those that participate, the hope is that they benefit in the long run and learn what has become the motto of the SM@RT PLEDGE: JOMO over FOMO!