Beyond Screens: Tech & Parenting #1
In this issue: Getting to know each other, planning our first meetup, quick screen time tips for young kids, and what's on my reading list.
Hello from Stefan!
Thank you so much for signing up for this newsletter and taking the time to fill out the Google Form. I am very happy with the interest my social media post generated. While I've worked in media before, creating a newsletter is new territory, so I appreciate your patience as we find our way together.
We're dealing with a lot as parents. Between phones, tablets, social media, and AI chatbots, the world my daughter is growing up in looks nothing like the one I was raised in. I worry about how all these digital tools will impact her.
At the same time I believe technology doesn't have to harm us if we're intentional about how we interact with it, how we allow it in our life. Your interest in coming together as a community around this issue gives me hope. We have 46 subscribers to the newsletter, with backgrounds ranging from academia to government and international organizations, and even a grandmother of 6 kids (hi, Lian!).
What surprised me most from your answers is that only 28% want just the newsletter, while 72% want to be part of a nonprofit or action group. We’re few, but we're clearly action-oriented.
The survey also showed your main interest: screen time and digital well-being is top of mind for more than half of the respondents, with social media impact on children and privacy concerns ranking also high (I had a quick look at what the recent guidelines are about this for parents of small kids, more on that below).
Asked about how you might contribute, many of you (65%) aren't sure yet but are open to talking about it. Research and policy work were the next most popular areas where you can contribute - both areas of significant potential impact.
A bit about me
I'm Stefan Voinea (here’s my LinkedIn profile, Google Scholar page, and website where I seldom post photos). My background is in media, tech and psychology. My career has taken me through some interesting territory. I've worked in healthcare, in nonprofit, government and with international institutions like the World Health Organization, where I supported countries across Europe in their efforts to combat health misinformation.
I moved to Denmark/Frederiksberg with my wife and our now four-year-old daughter about two years ago. I feel the deep need to start contributing in our community.
Being a parent has made me increasingly concerned about how a digital world built for mining attention can affect developing minds. I don't believe technology is inherently harmful, as I've seen its power to improve lives. But I'm concerned about its potential downsides, especially for the young.
That's why I started this initiative: to share what I'm learning and connect with like-minded parents dealing with these same challenges. So, let’s go.
Nonprofit meetup and action plan
📅 I'd like to invite anyone interested in the nonprofit/action group idea to meet for coffee at KU.BE in Frederiksberg, on Saturday, May 17th at 11:30 AM.
Even if you can’t make it, if you have specific ideas or would like to take a leading role in what could become a board for this initiative, please send me an email. I'm especially interested in connecting with those with experience in project management, nonprofit organization, fundraising or policy work.
Screen time guidelines for young children*
Many of you asked about screen time guidelines for young children. While these can vary slightly by country, health authorities worldwide have similar recommendations:
For babies (0-2 years), screen time should be avoided completely (except for video chatting with family). Babies thrive and learn through physical play, face-to-face interaction, and exploring their environment.
For preschoolers (3-5 years), less is better. One should limit to maximum 1 hour per day of high-quality content, co-viewed with a parent (talk about what you're watching).
⚠️Upcoming research deep dives will be more extensive, please let me know if you have any specific questions you’d like me to explore in the coming newsletters.
What I'm reading and listening to
🧑🔬 The effects of screen time on children: The latest research parents should know
📝 ‘Each year you delay giving a phone is a big win’: child screen-time solutions from around the world
📝 Instagram still posing serious risks to children, campaigners say
📝 Parents must make tough choices on smartphones, says children’s commissioner for England
📚 How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
📹 ‘Our Kids Are the Least Flourishing Generation We Know Of’ | The Ezra Klein Show
🔊 Rethinking School in the Age of AI
I'd love to hear from you
What questions about kids and technology keep you up at night? Would you like to contribute to a future newsletter? Send me an email.
This newsletter will evolve based on what matters to you. Reach out with your thoughts and questions, and if you know other parents who might find this helpful please send them the newsletter.
One thing to try this week
Create a 'device parking spot' in your home - a basket or box where phones go during meals or family time. Even 30 minutes of screen-free connection can make a big difference.
* References
International
World Health Organization (WHO) – Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (2019): WHO Guidelines
Nordics
Norway – Helsedirektoratet – National guidance on physical activity, sedentary time and screen use for children 1–5 years (2022): Norwegian Guidelines
Sweden – Folkhälsomyndigheten – Rekommendationer om skärmanvändning (2024): Swedish Recommendations
Denmark – Background note "Sundhedsstyrelsens anbefalinger om skærmbrug" (Oct 2023): Danish Recommendations
Canada
Canadian Paediatric Society – Position statement "Screen time and preschool children" (2022): CPS Statement
Australia
Australian Department of Health – 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for children 0-5 years: Australian Guidelines
United States
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Policy statement "Media and Young Minds" (2016, reaffirmed 2022): AAP Media and Young Minds
AAP – Policy statement "Children and Adolescents and Digital Media" (2016, reaffirmed 2022): AAP Digital Media Policy