Smartphone Alternatives

If you are looking into getting a phone for your child before school starts, it's helpful to know about the range of alternatives that can help delay or even replace a smartphone:

• First Phones - A smartphone doesn't have to be a kids first phone. There are many viable alternatives that handle calls and text only, providing connection without putting the internet in their pocket. The organization Smartphone Free Childhood has a helpful list of first phone options including flip-phones and newer, streamlined phones. Click HERE to see the full list.
• Watches - Watches can be a great option since they are easy to use and harder to lose! While they come with a wide range of features, from fitness tracking to apps, there are simple versions that work well as a first device. Wait Until 8th has a helpful list of watch options with short blurbs about their features. Click HERE to read the post.
• Communal Phone - Invest in a basic phone that any family member can take with them if they need to be out for an extended period of time. By giving them a flip phone just for the day, the phone is purely used for coordination, rather than ongoing connection. This can provide kids with independence in the moment without the pitfalls of having their own device.
• Desktop computers - For some families, a desktop computer can serve as an alternative to a smartphone when kids are eager to communicate with each other. Placed in a common room such as the kitchen, parents can regulate screen time more effectively and establish healthier boundaries by creating a purposeful technology area.
• Landlines - Our last newsletter highlighted the joys of having a landline for kids to use. It can be a good option for younger kids and their group of friends looking to find a common communication platform that families can agree on.
• Second Phones - For older kids who are ready for a more sophisticated phone, but might not need a fully loaded smartphone, Smartphone Free Childhood also had a list of recommendations. Still no web browsers, but the phones offer more independence and communication features. Click HERE for their full list of follow-on phone recommendations.

SEND US YOUR SMARTPHONE STORIES!

The decision of what device to get your children and when is different for every family. We'd love to hear about the decisions you've made around your family's devices and how your thinking continues to evolve. Please send us a note at newcanaanunplugged@gmail.com and let us know about your experience. Our whole community would appreciate any advice and lessons you'd be willing to share!

BOOK HIGHLIGHT

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport, 256 pages

Cal Newport, a Computer Science professor at Georgetown University, is one of the leading voices at the intersection of technology, work and productivity. His most recent book, Slow Productivity, published in 2024, is a must read for anyone looking to reorient their relationship to work and how we accomplish it. His basic premise: Do fewer things. Work at a natural pace. Obsess over quality.

Click HERE to view a helpful video introduction to the book and its themes.

SAVE THE DATE!

New Canaan Unplugged will be hosting an open conversation around building healthier relationships with technology on Friday August 29, 2025 - 10:00am at Le Pain Quotidien on Elm Street.

The goal of our gathering is to share learning and gain an appreciation for how others in our community are managing the challenges of raising a family in today's device centric culture. From smart phones to smart watches, Video Games to AI, every family is facing its own unique blend of pressures from technology. There is no right way to manage the demands and each family must find a balance that works for them, but we can talk together to build better solutions.

Please join us at Le Pain Quotidien on Elm Street in downtown New Canaan on Friday August 29, 2025 at 10:00am.

ARTICLES WORTH YOUR TIME

• ChatGPT launches "Study Mode" - Instead of just giving students the answers, Study Mode walks students through the steps and reasoning to solve their questions. The hope is that students will stop using the ChatGPT output in place of their own work. The question is whether anyone will use it. Click HERE to read about it on Axios.com
• Do you have a Dopamine Deficit? - CNN recently published an interview with Dr. Anna Lembke, author of “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Lembke spoke about what dopamine is, what it does and how you can find better balance. Click HERE to read the interview on CNN.com
• Kids are experimenting with AI Companions - In a recent study from Common Sense Media, more than half of teens are experimenting with AI Companions, engaging in a range of conversations out of curiosity to learn more about this nascent technology. They still spend more time with friends and prefer human conversations, but there are concerning signs in the data. Click HERE to read a article on NPR.com that discusses the study.
• YouTube will now be included in Australia's Social Media Ban - Australia had previously excluded YouTube from its Social Media ban, citing the education content available on the platform. It has since reversed that decision and YouTube will now be included in the law that bans social media for all children under the age of 16 starting in December 2025. Click HERE to read the article on Reuters.com.
• Let your kids watch TV - An alternative perspective from New York Magazine's TV Critic on how she approaches screen time for her 8 & 11 year olds. Click HERE to read the article on NYMag.com (subscription may be required).

Help New Canaan Unplug

If you are interested in creating a healthier relationship with technology for our children, please check out our survey HERE to let us know how you can help.

New Canaan Unplugged is a parent-run group completely independent from the New Canaan Public School System and the Town of New Canaan.