The Collective

We are a group of parents across nine independent San Francisco and Marin schools, united around a shared mission: to reshape digital norms for our families, starting with keeping smartphones and social media out of kids’ hands during their most formative years.

Burke’s

MCDS

SF Day

Cathedral

Convent

Hamlin

Stuart Hall

SVDP

Town

The Time Is Now

We have seen firsthand how constant online connectivity impacts kids’ attention spans, mental health, and real-world relationships. Together we’re advocating for a childhood rooted in real life, and face-to-face connection — not endless scrolling.

And we know this only works for our kids if they are not alone.

What began as conversations among friends has evolved  into a coalition working toward change, in collaboration  with parents, educators, and schools.

Social media is associated with significant harms to youth mental health. We must protect children during critical stages  of brain development.

— Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General

About Us

We believe that when a community stands together, protecting kids’ well-being  not only becomes easier — it becomes the norm.

WHAT

Reshape digital norms  for our kids, starting with delaying smartphones and social media.

WHat

To protect our kids’ mental health, self-esteem, attention spans and brain development, while delaying  a phone-based adolescence.

HOW

By raising awareness in the community through grade-specific parent communities across schools, hosting educational events, and partnering with schools

WHO

Parents from Burke’s, Cathedral, Convent, Hamlin, MCDS, SF Day, Stuart Hall, SVDP & Town

Meet the Collective

Parents Have Spoken

9

Schools

300

Parents

93%

Support Delay

Delay smartphones through middle school

Delay social media through middle school

Stay tuned for updated survey results from all grades, coming in Spring 2026

Join the Collective

What You Are Saying

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent

Let’s not cave! A phone-based life makes it difficult for children, teens and adults to be fully present when they’re with others and to sit silently with themselves when they’re alone. Teens and pre teens are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, their brains, and their social lives are changing so rapidly. And the research is very clear and it is simple – increased screen time takes away from in-personal connections, sleep, and attention. [Our] family is all in!!!

— Burke’s 6th grade parent

This issue in particular is absolutely a collective action problem. Unless our parent/school community agrees to a common code,  it is extremely difficult to be the parents denying your kid access when their friends all have it.

— SF Day 6th grade parent