On Jan. 12 two local parents presented 'Wait Until Eighth' to the Sparks City Council, urging families to delay giving children smartphones until at least the end of eighth grade and describing a local pledge and resource toolkit.

Larissa Viner, a registered school nurse, outlined peer-reviewed studies and national advisory guidance on youth mental health, saying heavy social-media and smartphone use is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety and attention problems among adolescents. "A long term study of kids aged 12 to 15 found those who spent more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety," Viner said.

Brandy Vesco described the pledge mechanics: parents sign at waituntil8.org, enter school and grade, and a pledge becomes active once 10 families in the same grade and school enroll. "Wait until eighth is simply a pledge to delay giving your child a smartphone until at least the end of eighth grade," Vesco said. She reported that in Washoe County public schools the campaign grew from 27 pledges in 12 schools to 101 pledges in 24 schools over two months and that one school — Our Lady of the Snows — has an active 10-family pledge.

Council members asked about outreach to principals, PTAs, school counselors and human‑trafficking prevention organizations. Vesco said the organizers contacted 66 traditional public school principals and that the Washoe County School District included the information on its district website; she said about 25% of principals had embraced the materials while some declined or didn’t respond.

The council did not take action on the presentation but members praised the effort and suggested additional outreach avenues.