Topics

While technology is a common battleground in most family homes, there are various areas of the digital world that affect kids at different ages and stages. Navigate through some of today’s top technology pain-points to find tips and tools for connecting with your current challenges.

Digital Health 101

Unpacking our top five digital health principles (a great place to start!)

Smartphones

Understanding the risks of handing kids fully loaded smartphones + knowing the alternatives

Pornography

Navigating the dark reality of our children’s online porn exposure

Screentime

Establishing screentime boundaries, device-free zones, daily rhythms and more

Social Media

Developing a healthy approach to social media + preparing for peer pressure and false realities

Video Games

Handling video game meltdowns and keeping youth gamers safe in the online world

#screensanity

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The beginning of a new school is right around the

The beginning of a new school is right around the corner. Which means pressure is on for parents deciding whether or not to get their kids a smartphone. If this thought has crossed your mind, we encourage you to consider these three questions:

1️⃣ Why am I getting my child a smartphone? | If the answer is communication or connection, what other options might be available before handing your child a smartphone? It’s worth considering whether a smart watch or basic phone (like a Gabb, Pinwheel, Troomi or flip phone) could work to fill that need.

2️⃣ What are the rules or boundaries for this smartphone? | While it is never too late to set — or reset — boundaries, they’re most effective when introduced up front. What boundaries would you like to set in place for your child’s relationship with this new device? What conversations need to happen before the phone is ever in their hands? The Smarter Start Toolkit, developed in partnership with @USCellular, is a great place to start. Check it out at the link in bio.

3️⃣ How will I help keep my child safe? | With a smartphone, the world is now at your child’s fingertips. It’s important to consider how you plan to protect them from ending up somewhere on the internet they never intended to be. Do your research ahead of time so you know the exact capabilities of the phone you purchase. Ask around your community to see how other parents are keeping their kids safe on devices.

Get your free download of the Smarter Start Toolkit at the link in bio.

"The truth is...we are the first generation of par

"The truth is...we are the first generation of parents who are raising digital natives. And all of us deeply desire to mentor, guide and support our kids in all areas of life. But technology has been really hard. It's kind of this new type of digital divide, not between families who have tech and don't, but in this context it's more about an experiential divide, right? We didn't grow up with this. We have no lived experience. Our parents never trained us on this. And when we feel this lack of confidence--it can be tempting to give up at best...or accidentally become antagonists instead of allies at worst..."

Do you relate with this quote from Co-founder and Executive Director, Tracy Foster? You’re not alone. What does it look like to call our kids into something better? To create a world where life stays more captivating than screens? When we aren’t getting the answers where we usually look, it’s time to start a conversation in community. Which is exactly why we created our Parent Night Kit. An all-inclusive resource right at your finger tips - all you have to do is gather your people and press "play". Check out our website to learn more: https://screensanity.org/training/parent-night-kit/

Summer is in full swing! This season feels like a

Summer is in full swing! This season feels like a natural invitation to gather, whether that be around a sprinkler in your front yard or enjoying popsicles on the back porch. To maximize memory making and minimize screentime, we are sharing a few tips on how to host a device-free gathering. These suggestions can be applied whether it’s the neighborhood kids coming over for a casual hangout, or you’re hosting a big summer birthday bash.

1️⃣Make it clear.
Share your device-free message clearly and punctually. This means including your plans for tech use on the invitations, so people know exactly what to expect.

2️⃣Have a plan for communication.
Be sure to communicate how kids can reach their parents if they need to. For example, you could say something like this: “We’re looking forward to our get-together. Just a quick note to let you know phones will be in a basket, collected at the beginning of the party. If the kids need to reach you, they can come to the phone station and call or text!”

3️⃣Be open to conversation.
If you haven’t hosted or attended a device-free gathering, it can be intimidating to take the first step in that direction. You may get questions or push back, but chances are most parents wish there were more device-free opportunities for their kids. Be willing to address any questions and concerns with understanding and remember that the magic happens when kids are given the chance to connect in real life without digital distraction.

#screensanity #summeractivities #familyactivities #gathering #summerhangouts #kidactivities #activityideas #screentime #offscreens #healthytech #healthydigitalhabits #healthyscreentime

There is no shortage of off-screen fun to be had o

There is no shortage of off-screen fun to be had on the Fourth of July. May your belly be full of cookout goodness, your ears tuned to the sounds of summer, and your heart set on making memories. Choose to be present this year and soak up every moment with family and friends. Happy Fourth, from all of us at Screen Sanity.

Hey there! Screen Sanity is taking a brief hiatus

Hey there! Screen Sanity is taking a brief hiatus from this little world of social media. We plan to reconnect with the real world, maximize summer memories and enjoy all the proven benefits that come along with a social media break, including...

+ better sleep
+ less comparison
+ less FOMO
+ more focus
+ more creativity
+ more free time

Want to join us? Whether you do it for a day, a week or a year, taking a break from the daily scroll (and those nonstop notifications) can have countless benefits on your mental health. You might be surprised at what you learn or how you feel — and we'd love to hear about it! Screen Sanity will be back in action next Monday (July 1). See you then!