Wait Until 8th pledge: 'Not to be taken lightly' - Social media expert raises 'alarming' concerns.

Social media expert warns that giving kids smartphones in eighth grade could be the worst possible time for social media exposure in their lives.

According to ScreenStrong founder Melanie Hempe, giving a child a phone in eighth grade is not a good idea from a scientific or medical perspective, as the risks do not justify the benefits.

"It is not acceptable to continue making mistakes in this matter. This is not a light issue and should not be taken lightly. It is a serious matter, and we should not use a rhyme to raise our children."

The movement "Wait Until 8th" is gaining popularity among parents and communities in the U.S., with participants committing to postponing the gift of a smartphone to their children until the end of 8th grade.

Hempe, a registered nurse and expert, stressed that it is not suitable for eighth graders to be introduced to smartphones and social media during the U.S.'s "greatest adolescent mental health crisis."

"The emperor doesn't have any clothes and eighth grade is not smart for smartphones." - Melanie Hempe, ScreenStrong founder

In the eighth grade age group, there is a discrepancy in brain development among students.

"Hempe stated that the accelerator is working before the brakes, which implies that they are taking higher risks before their frontal cortex, the judgment center of their brain, is fully developed. As a result, their emotion center is developing before their reasoning center."

Hempe's concerns are also influenced by shifts in search behavior and content consumption patterns.

"They're searching for content related to anxiety, depression, and mental health diagnoses because all their friends have one, so they're trying to understand their own. However, the algorithms expose them to the worst content at the most vulnerable stage of their development."

Adolescents aged 14 to 18 are experiencing a surge in sexual interest and are more likely to develop addictive behaviors, according to Hempe.

The concerning increase in suicide and suicide attempts among high school students, as per CDC data, makes suicide the third leading cause of death among this age group.

According to CDC data, 12th graders are less likely to consider attempting suicide than 9th and 10th grade students.

"The prevalence of suicide interest and attempts, as well as addiction formation, is increasing. The teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to addiction due to its developing nature. It is estimated that 90% of all adult addictions begin during adolescence."

"We are giving our children one of the highest dopaminergic devices during their most vulnerable stages of development when their guard is the lowest and the most harm can be done."

Hempe rejected the "Wait Until 8th" pledge, emphasizing that eighth grade is a critical period when children are most vulnerable.

Wait Until 8th responded to criticism by stating that the pledge aims to motivate communities to postpone giving children smartphones, emphasizing that families have the option to delay.

According to Brooke Shannon, founder of Wait Until Eighth, most families are giving their children smartphones in 4th or 5th grade, and a majority of children are on social media by 6th grade. By signing the pledge and encouraging others to do the same, parents can give their children four more years of being free from the distractions and dangers that come with owning a smartphone.

"If families want to wait even longer, that's great! The pledge is just a goal post to bring your community together. There is power in numbers!"

To address America's youth mental health crisis, Hempe proposed delaying the introduction of smartphones until high school.

"To give your kids a significant advantage mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially, it is crucial to understand that 48 months of high school is a brief period. We must put a one in front of the eight to make it 18. We must hit the pause button and save our kids from the trauma, scars, and possibly even their lives."

ScreenStrong offers resources, such as the "Kids' Brains and Screens" course, for parents and young adults to get educated on various topics. Hempe also advised parents to look beyond their own "blind spots" and seek out a community of like-minded individuals to provide a "healthy teenage experience" for their children.

"We must support our teenagers in their fight against the screen battle in this country," Hempe stated.