Smartphone-Free Childhood Canada

Welcome to the Smartphone-Free Childhood Movement in Canada

Hi everyone, Bonjour!

Let’s start a conversation and a movement around one simple idea: Smartphone-Free Childhood. If people in the UK can do it, we can do it here in Canada too—En Français aussi!

Here is an article about what is happening in the UK!

If you’re a parent or an educator and you care about this issue, Email me so I can share the link to the WhatsApp group (Canada only).

If you have some time to help get this going, let’s connect too!

Join the pledge!

Delay the use of smartphones for your child to 14 years old (without social media) Unplugged Canada

This is urgent—we need to act now to save our children’s childhood. I know many of you are passionate about this topic, so let’s come together to make a difference.

More info here on the research done about smartphones Worldwide: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com by Jonathan Haidt based in the US.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to hearing from you!

With kindness,
Laure Sabini

Take Action: Support a Smartphone-Free Childhood (Canada)

After reading numerous articles and books, and watching videos inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s newsletter, I’ve gathered the key information to share with you—parents and educators—so you can take steps toward creating a smartphone-free childhood for your kids.

Here’s What You Need to Know

Before we dive in, remember that every family and child is unique, with their own needs and circumstances. These guidelines are meant to provide direction, not rigid rules.

I will continue to post more information if there’s interest, but for now, I’ve compiled the essentials to help you navigate this topic. I know you’re busy, so I’ve made everything concise and easy to digest.

What This Initiative Is About

The focus here is on smartphone use, not screens in general (that’s a whole other topic!). We’re looking at ways to reduce or delay smartphone use among children to encourage more traditional childhood experiences.

Stay tuned for more resources and tips. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to me. Let’s work together to create a smartphone-free childhood!

Consequences of screen/smartphone use in kids:

• Delay in growing up
• Mental health decline: more anxiety, depression, and self-harm
• Suicides on the rise
• Social skills down
• Sleep deprivation
• Addiction
• Attention
• Scores at school

What screens are taking away from our kids:

• Play and free-play
• Risk-taking
• Physical activity
• Social skills
• Critical thinking

Good to do:

• Turn off all screens during meals and outings
• Learn about and use parental controls
• Don’t use screens as pacifiers, babysitters, or to stop tantrums
• Ideally: no screens at all in bedrooms. Otherwise turn off screens and remove them from bedrooms at least 60min before bedtime
• Be aware of your own use and consumption of your devices around your kids, and also without your kids

Ideas to delay or stop the use of smartphones for children:

• Talk with your child about the consequences of smartphone use
• Talk with your child about the neuroscience of screens vs play
• Talk with other parents
• Talk with the parents of your child’s friends so hopefully you can agree on the same rules and delay smartphone use. One other parent is enough if that’s what is possible to start.
• When you decide your child and his friends will have the same rules around smartphone use, make sure you plan playdates/sleepovers between them, once a week if possible. no screens during playdates/sleepovers!

Books:

• The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt
• Free-Range Kids, by Lenore Skenazy

Websites:

• https://www.afterbabel.com/p/the-revolution-has-begun-in-the-uk/
• https://www.anxiousgeneration.com
• https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk
• https://www.humanetech.com/youth

4 important shifts from the book “The Anxious Generation”

1. Delay children’s access to smartphones until high school (14 years old) and social media platforms until 16.
2. No phone at school
3. Restore play-based childhood
4. Replace screen time with real-world experiences involving friends and independent activity

Smartphone-Free Schools

Join the pledge!

Delay the use of smartphones for your child to 14 years old (without social media) Unplugged Canada

New rules in schools in Canada:

BC: Bans of use of mobile phones in public schools

Alberta: Cellphone use in schools engagement (in progress)

Ontario: Cellphone ban in schools