Smartphone Free Childhood - US

Thank you for being a part of the Smartphone-Free Childhood US movement. We are pleased to announce the launch of our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. This will make it easier to share ideas and information with you and your friends on these platforms. Please consider giving us a follow!

Last week, we shared our mission statement to facilitate a deeper understanding of our organizational goals and values. This week we’d like to share our core beliefs:

Our Core Beliefs

• No smartphones before high school: Preventing premature exposure to digital devices allows for more natural cognitive and social development.

• No social media before 16: Delaying social media use protects children from online pressures, cyberbullying, and mental health challenges.

• Phone-free schools: Creating a learning environment free from digital distractions fosters better academic performance and interpersonal interactions.

• More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world: Encouraging real-world activities helps develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and social competence. Play is the work of childhood and we are robbing kids of the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, creative and communications skills that are needed in raising well-rounded children.

Ways to Connect with Us

• This newsletter provides inspiration and information to keep you and your community moving forward and staying motivated. It’s a great place to start.

• For quick nuggets of information that are easily sharable, find us on Instagram and Facebook.

• Our National WhatsApp group is very active and serves as an excellent portal for information sharing on this topic. If you're not already a member, we encourage you to join. Additionally, we recommend joining your local State WhatsApp group to connect and collaborate with fellow community members. (Go to the linktree, find your state, and click to join.)

• Visit our website to learn more about our goals and how you can get involved. The site also contains lots of supportive material and information to help you organize and act in your local communities.

Again, thank you for being here.

Please forward this email to friends and family. If this email has been forwarded to you, consider joining our newsletter or find us on WhatsApp.

Parents making an IMPACT

Parents across the US are working hard to make changes in their homes, schools, and communities regarding smartphone use for kids of all ages.

Jake, SFC Nevada, recently had an opportunity to impart his insights and advice on the effects of social media on children during a "discussions with dad" segment featured on his local TV news station. Watch his interview. Jake is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Nevada. Thanks for the shout out, Jake!

IMPACT Tip

Empower yourself with a summer read! Navigating the world of technology for your child can be a complex journey, especially if you're just starting out. We understand it might feel overwhelming, but connecting with a community of like-minded parents can make all the difference. We encourage you to take the time to explore this topic thoroughly, as understanding it early on will benefit you and your children as they grow. Inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s insightful book, Anxious Generation, we recommend diving into it this summer for valuable perspectives. Additionally, our website offers a wealth of resources—books, podcasts, movies, and more—to support you on this path. Together, we can make informed and positive choices for our children’s future.

Tell us why YOU are here?

We'd love to hear about what motivated or inspired you to choose a smartphone-free childhood for your kids. Was there a particular moment or incident that sparked your concern? What brought you to this decision and to our community? Sharing our individual stories will help us build a stronger collective narrative.

Here’s why Christina D. from Wisconsin is here…

I knew my relationship with my own smartphone was unhealthy, so the message of The Anxious Generation immediately resonated with me. The book prompted me to make major changes around screens in our household; I got a dumbphone and we significantly reduced our kids' (ages 5 & 3) screentime. These changes have been great for now, but I'm worried my kids will suffer when they're older if they're the only ones among their peers without smartphones. I'm desperate to change the norm around kids & smartphones before that happens.

Please join us: our next OPEN Call…all are welcome!

Summer Connect: Monday, August 5th at 12:00pm EST (limit 1 hour)

The agenda:

• Organizational update from volunteer group / admins / tech

• Strategies - what is working? Tell us what you are doing in your homes, communities, and schools to make an IMPACT.

• Next steps / next meeting

• Questions