Touch Grass

"Touch Grass" is often said to people who spend too much time online and need to take a break from the virtual world. Even if you don’t consider yourself “extremely online”, we are all subject to demands on our attention that keep us from being as present as we might like. Last fall, the Wall Street Journal highlighted a trend of senior executives intentionally making themselves less accessible so they can focus on deep work and be fully present in meetings (click HERE to read). For the rest of us, we can consciously create boundaries from digital distractions and reclaim precious time in the real world.

CREATING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

• Turn off notifications – Only allow notifications/buzzes for your 2-3 most important apps. Better yet, turn off all notifications and slowly add back the ones you miss the most. Fewer interruptions will help you focus and alleviate that feeling of being behind when you see lots of unanswered alerts. Here are the support pages for Apple notification settings and Android notification settings to help you manage notification settings for all apps.
• Physical Alarm Clocks – When you use your phone as an alarm clock, you are more likely to scroll on it before bedtime or reach for it first thing in the morning. A physical alarm clock will help make your bedroom a device-free zone and reduce distractions when trying to sleep. This practical suggestion came from Max Stossel, who spoke to New Canaan parents & students last year at a New Canaan Cares event.        
• Watches that just tell time – If you use your phone as a watch, you are more likely to see unanswered messages or app notifications, pulling your attention away every time you need to know what time it is. A simple watch removes those unnecessary distractions and won't try to compete with other devices for your attention.
• Weekend Only Apps – One of Dr. Raquel Harrison's favorite recommendations is to delete social media, shopping and any entertainment apps during the week. As a treat, you can reinstall those app on Saturdays, when you might have more time to indulge. Removing the temptation to interact with certain apps during the work week will help boost productivity and prevent mindless scrolling, leaving you less crunched for time.
• Time Management Tools – Leveraging the features in Apple Screen time or use a time management app like Roots helps you create a high level strategy to manage phone time more efficiently.  

BOOK & EVENT HIGHLIGHT

BEING SEEN - Master Parenting in the Digital Age.

Prof. Selena Bartlett, renowned neuroscientist and mother, offers parents a science-backed, practical guide to nurture their children’s brain health, manage stress and foster resilience. It goes beyond limiting screen time to build an understanding about the neuroscience of brain development, parenting and connection.

Selena Bartlett will be visiting the New Canaan Library on Friday May 30, 2025 for a talk based on her book. Register HERE. This program is offered in partnership with the New Canaan YMCA and is moderated by Yush Sztalkoper, Founder of the Twice-Exceptional Network (TEN). 

CONSIDERED TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS

From time to time, the Unplugged team comes across low tech alternatives to some of today's high-tech devices. The first of these products is the Tin Can Phone.

The TIN CAN phone: A Landline, reimagined

This new "old" device brings back the best parts of calling people on a land line, with some added upgrades, such as an app for parents to manage calls. Even though it looks and feels like an old school phone, this WiFi enabled phone plugs into a regular outlet instead of running on a traditional phone line. Check out the Tin Can Phone HERE.

Please note New Canaan Unplugged does not explicitly endorse any products.

 ARTICLES WORTH YOUR TIME

• State-wide ban of phones in New York schools - Governor Kathy Hochul recently introduced a bill to remove phones from all public schools. This would impact grades K-12 in every county in the state, starting in the fall of 2025. Click HERE to read.
• Boundaries for Kids - Just as it is important for Adults to create boundaries, its critical for Parents to help set boundaries for their Children. This recent Time magazine article speaks to the importance of setting boundaries as part of the conversation around phones. Click HERE to read.

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.