These things are amazing, thank you for sounding the alarm. Please call out the video games! We know grown adult, successful professionals who play 40+ hours a week. They're ignoring their children, neglecting their families and starving themselves from real, meaningful connection. It's not just the phones. Gaming is the gateway drug for porn addiction. All of it bears mention.
You're absolutely correct. Both compulsive gaming and porn addiction falsely satisfy deep needs of purpose, connection, and intimacy with a destructive, junk-food alternative.
Amazing work and practical tips, Catherine! Thank you so much for this post. Adding to your list, we have step-by-step guides all in one spot, written from a non-tech, parent perspective for devices, apps, streaming music, streaming video, and more: https://protectyoungeyes.com/parental-controls-every-digital-device/.
Note for reducing the need for a smartphone: I am Gen Z and I have a "transition device" a smartphone alternative (Cat S22) that is just smart enough (Uber, Whatsapp, etc) but is so small otherwise that I using it to mindlessly check the Internet hurts.. I use it just when I am out or someone calls me, otherwise all correspondence is done on my laptop, which I imagine is more easily controlled as a "family device" than a smartphone is. Moving almost all activity from the phone to the laptop makes it much much easier to remove the "companion" feel of the phone, plus it's easier on the eyes.
Thank you, this is a really helpful resource! I also wonder if we're downplaying some of the benefits of smartphones and social media. I like this recent post, which talks about new studies showing pluses as well as minuses:
We have had some good luck with tying screen use to the kids’ chores. My kids earn paper carnival tickets of varying amounts based on chores. Each ticket is worth 5 minutes of screen time. Harder chores and less popular chores award more tickets than easy chores. They can save them up or spend them almost immediately. When it is time to spend they prepay for the time, tell me what they want to do, and we set a timer based on the tickers being redeemed.
I have noticed this leading to far less screen time overall and much higher quality time when they do have screens. They don't want to waste time they worked hard for on mindless entertainment. If a child wants more screen time he or she has to do more work. But of course if a child is doing more work on a regular basis they have less time to sit around on screens. It evens out nicely.
I'm hopeful that a new generation of devices are on the way to address some of these problems. I've been following the development of the e-ink market closely for years and we're finally starting to have viable options, like the Boox Palma I'm using right now.
Thank you, this was so useful, Catherine. I've just bought your book, 'The Power of Fun' as an audiobook and I'm listening to it as I do my workouts. Does that count as fun?!
Excessive screen time in childhood can lead to reduced attention span, poor sleep quality, social skills deficits, physical health issues, delayed language development, eye strain, behavioral problems, impaired academic performance, stifled creativity, and addiction. To combat these issues, parents can set clear screen time limits, create screen-free zones, model healthy digital habits, and engage children in alternative activities such as color worksheets https://wunderkiddy.com/category/colors . Encouraging outdoor play, prioritizing educational content, scheduling screen-free family activities, using rewards to reinforce reduced screen time, promoting reading and storytelling, and involving children in household tasks and hobbies can significantly help in rolling back screen dependence and fostering healthier, more balanced development.
I'm a photographer and follow online modeling, which includes social media, cam modeling, and fan sites, and its unprecedented influence on human behavior and economic and cultural trends. I wonder, will these issues that affect our youth lead, for some, to what I've observed with many older Gen Z women and underage social media models and influencers?
Generally speaking, I've observed a lack of genuine social connections, an unhealthy focus on money and influence, hyper sexualization, an antagonistic manipulative relationship with men, an affinity for rap music and its corrosive culture, the inability to reason and think critically or communicate effectively, apparent mental health issues, a lack of standards and boundaries, a rejection of traditional and Western values, and many are earning tens of thousands of dollars each month as influencers and cam models and selling custom content.
Can anyone provide one example in history where someone with a minimum investment could generate a six-figure income despite a lack of education, skills, experience, or royalty-based talent? Or when time-tested and accepted economic principles and minimum standards were no longer valued or relevant? What will happen to these young women in 10 or 20 years, and how will that affect society?
Are my concerns baseless because tech and AI will solve these existential issues and usher in a new era of enlightenment, harmony, and abundance? Will genuine human connections and courtship be a thing of the past replaced by our fantasies and superficial connections in the virtual world? Will our digital bread and circuses be enough to satisfy all our needs?
Nobody knows the future, and throughout history's darkest time, we experienced unprecedented innovation and progress. Could this time be different since technology causes exponential changes faster than we can adapt or comprehend the potential harm?
Am I missing something, or am I too biased? Perhaps I should take the blue pill, stop worrying about the future, and just enjoy life blissfully ignorant of any potential threats.
Thank you for a great article! Are you aware of any resource, such as a children's book or a short video, explaining to kids the impact of excessive screen use? I have tried to explain in to my kid in terms he can understand (he is 5), but it would be really helpful to have other resources that are age appropriate. For example, if Storybots -a kid's prosocial media on Netflix- were to do an episode on this, it would be great!. Thank you!
Great post and sadly necessary for our times. Social media platforms are like the rabbit in the pot slowly dying as the water warms. It’s obvious to its situation until it’s too late. Is it too late for us? I don’t want to believe it is but I truly don’t know. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc. care only about profits and to do that they need to trap users into a mindless, continuous engagement of their product and they will do everything they can to do so even watering down good legislation like COPPA. (https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa)
The 1998 COPPA needs to be updated and revised to make the age limit 16 and not 13 for social media restrictions and to ensure age verification systems are properly in place and updated to ensure minors cannot create accounts.
How would you advise someone who is blind and needs to use their smartphone for things like reading books, a clock, music, etc to put these ideas into practice? Unfortunately smartphones are now the most accessible option for most blind people; there are other alternatives but they are a lot more expensive. I'm not even sure if there are accessible flip hones anymore.
This is a great question. I was actually thinking about a similar issue today -- I have type 1 diabetes, and there is a new insulin pump out that seems great, but you can ONLY control it via a smartphone. It's so frustrating.
One idea: check out the Brick, the device that I mention in the post (their site is https://getbrick.app/ ). It's a little gadget that allows you to block everything on your phone EXCEPT for the apps you need / want access to. It's a one-time purchase, and I think that you could set it up so that when your phone is "bricked," you'd only have access to the apps you need -- I love it.
There's also Unplug (https://www.unpluq.com/ ) -- which is a tag that you can keep on your keychain that does the opposite: it allows you to choose specific apps that you want to block, and continues to give you access to everything else.
They both let you set schedules ahead of time, which is also very handy.
If anyone else has ideas or suggestions, please reply!
I've been digging deeper into the iPhone's screentime app, which lets you set downtime schedules that block certain apps so that, for example, it forces me off the internet after 9 PM and I can only read books/listen to music. Combined with moving most of my apps off of my home screen I think this will be very helpful. I'll check out the other ones you mentioned.
These things are amazing, thank you for sounding the alarm. Please call out the video games! We know grown adult, successful professionals who play 40+ hours a week. They're ignoring their children, neglecting their families and starving themselves from real, meaningful connection. It's not just the phones. Gaming is the gateway drug for porn addiction. All of it bears mention.
You're absolutely correct. Both compulsive gaming and porn addiction falsely satisfy deep needs of purpose, connection, and intimacy with a destructive, junk-food alternative.
We are already living in a dystopia like the matrix.
Amazing work and practical tips, Catherine! Thank you so much for this post. Adding to your list, we have step-by-step guides all in one spot, written from a non-tech, parent perspective for devices, apps, streaming music, streaming video, and more: https://protectyoungeyes.com/parental-controls-every-digital-device/.
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing resource, Chris. Thank you for sharing -- I'll add it to my recommendations on my own substack!
Wow, that's so kind! Thank you.
Children don't need a computer to make a phone call.
I don't have any children.
Note for reducing the need for a smartphone: I am Gen Z and I have a "transition device" a smartphone alternative (Cat S22) that is just smart enough (Uber, Whatsapp, etc) but is so small otherwise that I using it to mindlessly check the Internet hurts.. I use it just when I am out or someone calls me, otherwise all correspondence is done on my laptop, which I imagine is more easily controlled as a "family device" than a smartphone is. Moving almost all activity from the phone to the laptop makes it much much easier to remove the "companion" feel of the phone, plus it's easier on the eyes.
Thank you, this is a really helpful resource! I also wonder if we're downplaying some of the benefits of smartphones and social media. I like this recent post, which talks about new studies showing pluses as well as minuses:
https://statisfied.substack.com/p/improving-social-media-experiences
The push I keep getting when trying to share this info with other parents, is people are afraid of “shaming “ parents
We have had some good luck with tying screen use to the kids’ chores. My kids earn paper carnival tickets of varying amounts based on chores. Each ticket is worth 5 minutes of screen time. Harder chores and less popular chores award more tickets than easy chores. They can save them up or spend them almost immediately. When it is time to spend they prepay for the time, tell me what they want to do, and we set a timer based on the tickers being redeemed.
I have noticed this leading to far less screen time overall and much higher quality time when they do have screens. They don't want to waste time they worked hard for on mindless entertainment. If a child wants more screen time he or she has to do more work. But of course if a child is doing more work on a regular basis they have less time to sit around on screens. It evens out nicely.
I'm hopeful that a new generation of devices are on the way to address some of these problems. I've been following the development of the e-ink market closely for years and we're finally starting to have viable options, like the Boox Palma I'm using right now.
Thank you, this was so useful, Catherine. I've just bought your book, 'The Power of Fun' as an audiobook and I'm listening to it as I do my workouts. Does that count as fun?!
Excessive screen time in childhood can lead to reduced attention span, poor sleep quality, social skills deficits, physical health issues, delayed language development, eye strain, behavioral problems, impaired academic performance, stifled creativity, and addiction. To combat these issues, parents can set clear screen time limits, create screen-free zones, model healthy digital habits, and engage children in alternative activities such as color worksheets https://wunderkiddy.com/category/colors . Encouraging outdoor play, prioritizing educational content, scheduling screen-free family activities, using rewards to reinforce reduced screen time, promoting reading and storytelling, and involving children in household tasks and hobbies can significantly help in rolling back screen dependence and fostering healthier, more balanced development.
Thank you for posting these wonderful tips and resources 🇺🇲📲🦉😌☘️
Grace and Peace to you, Christ is Risen! ☦️🕯️📿⛪
I'm a photographer and follow online modeling, which includes social media, cam modeling, and fan sites, and its unprecedented influence on human behavior and economic and cultural trends. I wonder, will these issues that affect our youth lead, for some, to what I've observed with many older Gen Z women and underage social media models and influencers?
Generally speaking, I've observed a lack of genuine social connections, an unhealthy focus on money and influence, hyper sexualization, an antagonistic manipulative relationship with men, an affinity for rap music and its corrosive culture, the inability to reason and think critically or communicate effectively, apparent mental health issues, a lack of standards and boundaries, a rejection of traditional and Western values, and many are earning tens of thousands of dollars each month as influencers and cam models and selling custom content.
Can anyone provide one example in history where someone with a minimum investment could generate a six-figure income despite a lack of education, skills, experience, or royalty-based talent? Or when time-tested and accepted economic principles and minimum standards were no longer valued or relevant? What will happen to these young women in 10 or 20 years, and how will that affect society?
Are my concerns baseless because tech and AI will solve these existential issues and usher in a new era of enlightenment, harmony, and abundance? Will genuine human connections and courtship be a thing of the past replaced by our fantasies and superficial connections in the virtual world? Will our digital bread and circuses be enough to satisfy all our needs?
Nobody knows the future, and throughout history's darkest time, we experienced unprecedented innovation and progress. Could this time be different since technology causes exponential changes faster than we can adapt or comprehend the potential harm?
Am I missing something, or am I too biased? Perhaps I should take the blue pill, stop worrying about the future, and just enjoy life blissfully ignorant of any potential threats.
Thank you for a great article! Are you aware of any resource, such as a children's book or a short video, explaining to kids the impact of excessive screen use? I have tried to explain in to my kid in terms he can understand (he is 5), but it would be really helpful to have other resources that are age appropriate. For example, if Storybots -a kid's prosocial media on Netflix- were to do an episode on this, it would be great!. Thank you!
These are a little older now but were made with kindergarten in mind: https://vimeo.com/549786843/58d5d8a8ee?share=copy
Great post and sadly necessary for our times. Social media platforms are like the rabbit in the pot slowly dying as the water warms. It’s obvious to its situation until it’s too late. Is it too late for us? I don’t want to believe it is but I truly don’t know. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc. care only about profits and to do that they need to trap users into a mindless, continuous engagement of their product and they will do everything they can to do so even watering down good legislation like COPPA. (https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa)
The 1998 COPPA needs to be updated and revised to make the age limit 16 and not 13 for social media restrictions and to ensure age verification systems are properly in place and updated to ensure minors cannot create accounts.
How would you advise someone who is blind and needs to use their smartphone for things like reading books, a clock, music, etc to put these ideas into practice? Unfortunately smartphones are now the most accessible option for most blind people; there are other alternatives but they are a lot more expensive. I'm not even sure if there are accessible flip hones anymore.
This is a great question. I was actually thinking about a similar issue today -- I have type 1 diabetes, and there is a new insulin pump out that seems great, but you can ONLY control it via a smartphone. It's so frustrating.
One idea: check out the Brick, the device that I mention in the post (their site is https://getbrick.app/ ). It's a little gadget that allows you to block everything on your phone EXCEPT for the apps you need / want access to. It's a one-time purchase, and I think that you could set it up so that when your phone is "bricked," you'd only have access to the apps you need -- I love it.
There's also Unplug (https://www.unpluq.com/ ) -- which is a tag that you can keep on your keychain that does the opposite: it allows you to choose specific apps that you want to block, and continues to give you access to everything else.
They both let you set schedules ahead of time, which is also very handy.
If anyone else has ideas or suggestions, please reply!
I've been digging deeper into the iPhone's screentime app, which lets you set downtime schedules that block certain apps so that, for example, it forces me off the internet after 9 PM and I can only read books/listen to music. Combined with moving most of my apps off of my home screen I think this will be very helpful. I'll check out the other ones you mentioned.