In neighborhoods around our country, conversations about children and technology are happening more frequently — at school pickup, around dinner tables, and in parent group chats. For many families, one question continues to surface: When is the right time to give a child a smartphone?

For Patricia Coskey, that question became something more than a discussion. It became a commitment — and eventually bringing a national movement, a local.

Patricia is the chapter founder for Wait Until 8th in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, a national parent-led pledge initiative that connects families who have independently decided to delay smartphones until at least the end of eighth grade. Her work focuses on bringing awareness, clarity, and connection to families who are already considering that path.

 

Wait Until 8th began as a simple idea: give parents a way to support one another in delaying smartphones so that no family feels isolated in their decision. The structure is straightforward. Parents sign an online pledge agreeing not to give their child a smartphone until at least the end of eighth grade. When 10 families from the same grade at the same school sign on, the pledge becomes active, and families are connected.

The goal is community reinforcement — reducing social pressure and increasing support.

For Patricia, the value of the pledge is deeply rooted in reassurance.

“The biggest benefit to signing the Wait Until 8th pledge is knowing you are not alone in waiting to give your child a smartphone.”

She believes that many parents quietly share similar concerns but feel uncertain about timing when they see smartphones appearing earlier in some peer groups. The pledge, she says, provides confidence through connection.

Patricia has lived in the area for nearly two years and describes the Virginia Beach and Norfolk communities as places with strong family values and engaged parents. After signing the pledge for her own family, she reached out to founder Brooke Shannon to ask how she could help expand awareness locally.

Her motivation is simple and heartfelt.

 “My own family and values were my motivation, initially, but my hope is that every child in our community can experience the wonderful childhood that we all dream they would have.”

That desire to protect space for childhood is what drives her conversations with parents across the area.

She also speaks candidly about why delaying smartphones matters to her personally.

“The science is clear that smartphones are harmful for kids.”

And in her view, timing makes a difference:

“Delaying this major milestone will allow kids to be kids a little longer.”

For Patricia, the focus is not on criticism or comparison. It is about offering an option for families who are already considering waiting — and making that option feel supported rather than solitary.

Since stepping into the chapter founder role, Patricia has had conversations with many parents who say they believe in waiting but were unaware of a structured way to coordinate with others.

One of the biggest challenges, she explains, has simply been awareness and activation. The pledge requires 10 families in the same grade at the same school to become active. While interest is growing, Virginia Beach does not yet have active pledges — though several grades are close.

Patricia sees that as momentum building.

She envisions a future where multiple schools across Virginia Beach and Norfolk have active pledges in various grade levels, creating a supportive network of families making similar decisions.

Her guiding objective is clear: “The goal is for no kid to feel like they are the ‘only one’ without a smartphone.”

One misconception Patricia often clarifies is that the pledge comes without obligations. It does not require volunteering, meetings, or continued participation. Families can simply sign the pledge and receive updates. Others may choose to help spread awareness within their child’s school.

Wait Until 8th does not publicly share personal information, and families are only connected once the pledge becomes active within their grade and school.

Patricia hopes to participate in school fairs and community events in the coming months, continuing to answer questions and build visibility in an approachable, neighbor-to-neighbor way.

As digital access becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, Patricia believes conversations around timing will continue to evolve. Her goal is not to dictate a universal answer, but to provide structure for families who feel aligned with delaying smartphones.

She believes Virginia Beach and Norfolk are well-positioned for thoughtful dialogue and collaborative decision-making.

“Strength in numbers” is more than a slogan for her — it reflects how she sees this community functioning at its best: parents supporting one another, children feeling secure, and decisions made intentionally rather than reactively.

Families interested in learning more can visit waituntil8th.org to read about the pledge and decide if it aligns with their goals. Those in Virginia Beach can also follow the local chapter at @waituntil8th_vabeach on Instagram.

For Patricia, this work is rooted in personal connection. One conversation at a time, she is building a network of families who want to navigate the digital age thoughtfully, together.