Family Tech Break: Dr. Haidt’s Tips + Free Printable -

“I read The Anxious Generation and thought—can we turn off the iPads yet?”
Same, mama. Same. After reading about how screens are zapping our kids’ attention spans, sleep, and motivation, I looked around my living room—kids zoned out, glowing faces, barely blinking—and thought, “Yep. We’re resetting this circus.”

But let’s be real—screens aren’t evil. They’re just really good at stealing the spotlight. So here’s how we started shifting the vibe at home from screen-hypnotized to screen-aware (and still stayed mostly sane).

🚫 Haidt Says “Hold Off” and Honestly, He’s Not Wrong

Dr. Jonathan Haidt suggests we:

Delay smartphones ’til high school.
Wait on social media until at least 16.
Keep schools phone-free.
Bring back unsupervised outdoor play (hello, independence!).

This isn’t about being anti-tech—it’s about raising less anxious, more capable kids. Which sounds pretty dreamy, right?

💡 Easy (and Fun!) Ways to Have Less Screen Time at Home

If you’re thinking “but HOW do I actually get my kids off their devices without a meltdown?”—I’ve got you.

1. Create “No-Screen Zones” at Home

🛏 Bedrooms: Nope. They need sleep, not YouTube rabbit holes.
🍽 Meals: Let’s chat about the weird dream someone had instead of watching Minecraft builds.
🚽 Bathrooms: Just…no.

2. Try “Short Screens After Sunset”

Let the kids enjoy the daylight with outside play, then allow a short, calm screen session after the sun sets. Think 30 minutes max—something low-key like a nature show or storytime podcast to help them wind down before bed.

3. Make Boredom Baskets

Fill a bin with craft kits, LEGO challenges, fidget toys, card games, play dough—whatever keeps them busy without needing a power cord.

4. Schedule Family Fun Like It’s a Big Deal

Game night on Fridays.
Park + picnic Saturdays.
DIY Pizza Sundays (screens off, hands in dough).

5. Go Analog

Use a real camera (yes, the kind with buttons!).
Buy a paper planner.
Bring out your inner 90s kid: teach them to write notes, send mail, or use a landline.

6. Use a Screen-Time Timer

Grab a cheap kitchen timer or one of these adorable ones on Amazon and set it for 30 minutes. When it dings—screen break!

📋 Download the “Screen Time Checklist” Printable

Life-changing habits for kids that make screen time feel earned—without the daily battle.
This bright and fun Screen Time Checklist helps kids build a healthy afternoon routine before they log on. From finishing homework to getting outside and eating a nourishing snack, each task encourages real-life engagement and responsibility. Laminate it then post it on the fridge or clip it to a clipboard—then let them come ask for the WiFi password with pride!

Click here to download the Screen Time Checklist PDF

🛍 Amazon Favorites for a Screen-Light Life

Here are a few things we use to make unplugged time actually fun:

🛝 Backyard Swing Set – It’s a workout and a boredom buster. Win-win.
🎲 Board Games – Try Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza or Exploding Kittens (chaos in the best way).
🕶 Blue Light Glasses for Kids – Because screens still happen—and these protect their little eyeballs.
🧩 Ravensburger Puzzles – Keep hands busy and minds calm.

🎯 Bonus Ideas That Actually Work

Put all devices “to bed” in the kitchen at night.
Use screen time as a reward, not a given.
Try “tech swap” days—no screens until they’ve done a puzzle, chore, or outdoor time.
Use car rides for storytelling or audiobooks instead of movies.
Rotate toys and board games so they feel new again!

💬 Let’s Chat

Have you tried any unplugging ideas that your kids actually liked? Share your wins (or fails—we love those too!) in the comments. And don’t forget to download your Digital Reset Challenge and give it a try this week.

We’re all just doing our best, one screen-free moment at a time.

Hugs and high-fives,
Annette 💕

Family Tech Break: Dr. Haidt’s Tips + Free Printable

🚫 Haidt Says “Hold Off” and Honestly, He’s Not Wrong