Last week, our school director, Megan Neale, shared the following letter with our school community about our school’s approach to technology and the national conversation about children and social media.

Dear Marin Waldorf School Community,

For years, our community has been on the front lines in supporting the mental health and well-being of the younger generation. Since its founding, our school has been intentionally tech-free, emphasizing the healthy experiential, tactile, and social experiences children need to grow. It is heartening to see that the entire nation is now moving in this direction, reinforcing the values we have long upheld.

The Wait Until 8th movement—which asks families to commit to delaying smartphone use until at least eighth grade—has gained national traction, aligning with the wisdom we have embraced in our approach to childhood and education. Leading voices like Jonathan Haidt, author of best seller The Anxious Generation, have been instrumental in shedding light on the impact of social media on young minds. His recent conversation with Ezra Klein is a must-listen.

The message is more urgent and unsettling in the new British series Adolescence, which in just two weeks became the most-watched limited series on Netflix. Clearly, the show and its themes struck a chord within society. I just finished watching the series and I found it offers a dark yet remarkably nuanced view of how multiple factors, including unsupervised technology use, loneliness, and toxic online communities, can be devastating for adolescents.

These discussions affirm what we have always known: Children thrive when given the space to develop at their own pace, free from the pressures of social media and screen dependence. As the world catches up with what our school has long championed, let us take a moment to celebrate our commitment to nurturing a childhood that is rich in imagination, play, and real-world connection.

We are proud to stand together in this movement, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our children.

Learn more about Marin Waldorf School's commitment to promoting a healthy, natural childhood through a thoughtful approach to technology, an articulated program of social-emotional learning, and a campus-wide commitment to community and connection.

Social-Emotional Learning at Marin Waldorf School
Less Screen Time, More Green Time: Our Approach to Technology
For Parents: Talking About Sexual Ethics and Sexual Literacy With Our Children

A Letter From the Director: Celebrating Our School's Commitment to Childhood