Category: Screen Less Play More

How Do I Get My Kids Off Screens Without A Fight?

This my friends, is the sixty-four million dollar question. And despite writing about this subject for two years, and interviewing screentime experts for another year…I had yet to hear anyone give a truly actionable answer.

Many experts suggest going cold turkey. Some therapists and teachers suggest moderation. But nobody had ever told me how to successfully redirect my elementary-aged children away from Minecraft and Mr. Beast without all hell breaking loose.

Until now. (Imagine angels singing as the heavens open up.)

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You’re making dinner. One kid is yelling. Another kid is crying. Your partner just busted through the door from a long day at work. And suddenly….you’re done. Like, really done. Ready to go “Gone Girl” and never return again.

Yep, been there.

And the best solution is almost always nature. But how do we get more nature in our lives, and the lives of our children when we’re constantly surrounded by screens, full schedules, and cement?

Read on to learn EASY ways to get your family more dirt, danger, and dandelions.

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When families begin to feel the strain of digital overload, the instinct is often to create new rules.

“No phones at the table.”
“No devices after bedtime.”
“Limit screen time.”

These rules are well intentioned – but often fail to stick.

Here’s what does…

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From online oversharing, to gaming chats and school apps, today’s children are building a digital footprint from the day they’re born.

We uncover the biggest cybersecurity mistakes parents make—and how to fix them.
How do online scams target kids?
Why should you stop clicking on sponsored links?
Why is Google a problematic search engine?
How much damage is done when you post photos of your kids on social media?

Whether your child is in preschool or heading off to college, this post is packed with actionable strategies every parent needs.

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This isn’t a game of “Oregon Trail,” in the old-school computer lab.

The computers, apps, and games that children use at school today are affecting their learning, health, and IQ in a bad way.

As soon as most students in the US had frequent access to school technology, national test scores started falling.

Children can access unauthorized websites during the school day, exposing them to violent or pornographic material.

“Educational” games trigger dopamine responses, making it more difficult for students to focus on less stimulating activities.

Research shows that handwriting is better for memory and learning than typing. Reading paper books is superior to screens for comprehension and retention.

So what the heck can parents do about it?

I have an idea…

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Your child might think they’re chatting with a friend.
They’re not.
They’re talking to AI, and there are almost no rules protecting them.

Learn why chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Character.AI i are uniquely dangerous for kids. Especially lonely, anxious, or neurodiverse children.

This isn’t science fiction.
This is happening in homes right now.

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Are you looking for a way to get your kids unplugged, but you’re afraid that you’ll go unhinged? You’re not alone.

You have probably found, like many, that limiting gaming and social media in your home just makes for constant battles. If you say 30 minutes, they want an hour. If you say three hours, they want five. Luckily, Clare Morell wrote “The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones” and has a better way for us.

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Does your child completely loose their %$# when something even mildly scary comes on the screen? Me too. So it is a real gamble when we turn on the tv, and even more terrifying to spend a fortune on an unknown movie in the theater.

We are here to help!

Here’s our list of favorite films for sensitive kiddos.

I know I always say screen less… But research indicates that there is a big difference in our brains between time watching a movie, versus scrolling a quick-form video platform like TikTok or Instagram.

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We are counting down our top six episodes of the Screen Less Play More podcast!

Screen Less Play More is the go-to parenting podcast for families who want to raise confident, curious, healthy kids in a digital world. If you’re worried about technology, cell phones, screen time battles, video games, social media pressure, or how tech impacts your child’s mental health, behavior, and attention, you’re in the right place.

Each episode features experts who help parents create healthy tech habits, set realistic phone boundaries, and build a calmer home with fewer screens and more connection. We also dive deep into the power of play—free play, risky play, outdoor play, imaginative play, and reading—to help kids develop resilience, creativity, and independence.

Whether you’re raising toddlers, kids, tweens, or teens, this podcast gives you practical tools, research-backed strategies, and hope for raising children who thrive both online and offline.

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