About the ScreenStrong Live Virtual Fundraiser

No, ScreenStrong is not anti-technology. We advocate using screens as tools for productivity instead of toys for kids. Children don’t use screens the way adults do. They don’t learn technology skills by playing video games or spending hours on social media. In addition, our children are exposed to plenty of screens in our day to day lives without having access to their own personal devices.

No. You have a choice. Recreational screens are not required for a healthy and normal childhood. It may feel like everyone plays video games and has a smartphone, but many kids don’t—and that number is growing. Our culture will continue to push new technology on kids, but after reviewing the research, parents are reconsidering. Your child will have a better chance to use screens in a balanced, productive way when he has had time to develop adequate self-control and judgment.

Based on our experience, we have found that children will expand their interests when they are more present in the real world than the virtual world. By removing video games, social media, and smartphones now, your child will be able to explore more in-person friendships, hobbies, and other interests. In addition, spending screen-free time together as a family develops deeper relationships which is ultimately what our kids crave.

Take time away from the game. To do this, it will help to understand the long-term effects and warning signs of video game overuse. We recommend our ScreenStrong Solution book to walk you through the practical steps to remove the video games so your child can set new habits and develop new hobbies. Taking the ScreenStrong Challenge and joining the ScreenStrong Families Facebook Group will help.

The short answer is: “When you are ready for your child to view porn.” Parental controls are never enough to completely lockdown any device. Smartphones and social media were not designed with kids in mind. From what we know about brain science and the developmental age of maturity, delaying smartphones and social media is a good option. There is a big risk with early use, but no risk in delaying. If a phone is necessary, talk & text only (internet/data-free) phones are best—see our website for details. Taking the ScreenStrong Challenge and joining the ScreenStrong Families Facebook Group will also help develop your game plan.