Every family is navigating phones, games, and screens in their own way, and nobody has it all figured out. We gather, judgment-free, to share what's working, learn from research and from each other, and make the load a little lighter. The research points in some clear directions, and we're glad to share them.
Whatever choices your family has made so far, you're welcome here. We're all figuring this out as we go.
We stay close to the research and share what it shows, gently and honestly, so families can make informed choices.
Tech decisions are easier when neighbors make them together. A shared norm beats a solo battle every time.
Every two years, nearly every Concord-Carlisle student in grades 6, 8, and 9 through 12 answers the Emerson Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Between 2024 and 2026, their answers show Concord families making more intentional choices at home, and it's adding up.
Every small step counts: a charging spot outside the bedroom, a look at the settings, a family conversation about screens. Concord families are doing their part, and you're in good company.
We're planning a series of gatherings for this school year. There are already wonderful events and resources in our area. Rather than repeat what others do well, we'll focus on filling the gaps with programming families are asking for, and we'll keep our community posted on what other great organizations are offering.
A free evening with neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, co-hosted by the coalition. Come with your questions, and leave with practical tools and strategies for home and school.
Tuesday, November 17 · 7:00 to 9:00 pm · Auditorium at Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle SchoolWe're planning more community conversations and workshops for the rest of the school year. Join the coalition to hear about each one as soon as it's scheduled.
Join the coalitionA curated collection of the books, websites, and articles that come up again and again at our gatherings, for families who want to dig deeper on their own time.
Browse the resources pageThese come up at nearly every gathering. We point to the research, share what other families have tried, and give you our honest read.
"Everyone" is usually fewer people than it sounds. In Concord's 2026 student survey, 71% of 8th graders say their parents monitor their phone use, up from 58% in 2024, and 57% of 6th graders keep devices out of their bedrooms at night. Plenty of Concord families are setting limits too. See Concord's Data. It also helps to know the other parents. At our gatherings and events, families compare notes and sometimes agree on limits together, so "everyone else" starts to include your child's friends.
There's no single right answer, but some options fit better than others. Our guide lays out kids' watches, basic phones, and smartphones side by side, with the parental controls each one offers. Compare watches, phones, and parental controls. If you're thinking about waiting, Smartphone Free Childhood US connects families who are delaying together. See it on Resources.
Our At School page walks through which questions to ask the district, what information families are entitled to, and concrete ways to make your voice heard. For K-8 families, our step-by-step guide shows how to set guardrails on your child's school device. Read the internet consent guide.
Honest answer: it's hard, especially when work keeps us on our phones and computers all day. Our two-page handout has four questions to ask before a new game or a first phone, examples of shared family values, and five small steps to try. Read Thinking about Intentional Tech for Families.
Join the coalition to hear about gatherings and workshops, or just come to the next one and see if it's for you. Every family is welcome, wherever you are on this.