How to get your kids off their phones and into the real world

Today’s email topic was a reader request — this parent wanted to know how they can get their kids more interested in real-world pursuits like reading, seeing friends, or riding bikes when virtual worlds just always seem to be more enticing. This is a big one, so I can’t wait to dive into this topic!

And if there’s something you’d like to see me cover in a future newsletter, hit reply and let me know!

Today we’re covering:

• 5 offline activities you can do with your kids right now

• What works - and what doesn’t work - to reduce screen time

• How kids can use AI image generators to build a business

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💡 Screen time limits don’t work in the long run

If you’ve tried to get your kids to spend less time on their phones, you probably already know what doesn’t work: setting limits, nagging them to do something else, or threatening to take phone time away.

Why it matters: Our lives have become more virtual than ever — the pandemic exacerbated this. More and more people are working from home, more school assignments are on the computer than ever, and most dizzyingly, it seems like our kids’ entire social circles exist on their screens, too.

But screens are also the future: Panic about kids and screen time is nothing new — but just taking screens away isn’t the answer. Not only because it won’t work in the long-term (when our teens grow up and don’t have us to set limits on technology for them), but because our kids need to learn how to coexist with technology in order to be successful in the tech-integrated world.

What to do: As parents, we need to get more creative to help our kids get offline. Read on for tips on exactly how to start.

How to help your kids break free from their screen dependence

The only way to help kids become smarter about their screen time is to get them involved in the process.

Why it matters: If we can get our kids to reflect on how they want to spend their free time, and give them the autonomy to choose how they spend that time, they’ll be far more open to conversations about reducing screen time.

How to do it: Use Catherine Price’s “Three ‘C’s” exercise to help your kids explore how they want to spend their time.

The Three ‘C’s: Sit down with your kid and map out three categories: Consumption, Creation, and Connection. Which activities from your daily life fall into each category?

For example, “consumption” may include watching TikToks, reading a book, catching up on the news, etc. “Creation” covers activities like writing, making art, or working on a personal project. And “connection” is everything related to connecting with others — whether that’s online or off.

Now ask: within each category, which activities feel best?

Is it more fun to go to a friend’s house than sending them a text? Is it more satisfying to watch a full-length movie than to watch hundreds of TikTok videos in the same time interval?

Not all screens: The point of this exercise is to show that screen time isn’t a bad thing when it’s intentional. Your kid could use a tablet to create digital art or learn a new language with an app on their phone.

We want our kids to walk away recognizing that the most important thing is to be mindful of their screen time and to ask themselves, “Am I getting what I want out of this?”

This means we need to genuinely ask our kids: What do they want to get out of their screen time? What makes them turn to social media at the end of their school day?

Maybe it’s injecting fun into their day, or turning their brain off so they can “relax”. Ask them if it accomplishes that goal, or if there’s anything else that does it better.

They may need to try doing something else and then report back how it felt in comparison to using their phone. Teens may not know how the constant rain of notifications are affecting them until they get a break.

Not an easy task: Getting our kids to think this way is hard — especially because some digital worlds are created to be as addictive and attention-grabbing as possible. If our kids find that their screen time is mostly impulsive or automatic, find ways to break the cycle.

Put “time-wasting” apps in a separate folder on your phone’s home screen. Better yet, keep your smart phone in one room, on the charger — so it’s not always besides you. Setting up just a few extra degrees of separation will give your kids time to be more mindful about their screen time.

5 offline activities you can do with your kids, right now

1. Get outside — There are so many ways to explore the outdoors, so there’s certain to be an experience that appeals to every kid: whether that’s hiking to a beautiful vista, the thrill of whitewater rafting, or biking around a nature park. Bonus — cell phones can’t be a distraction if you’re out where there’s no cell service.

2. Volunteer — Volunteering as a family can bring you closer while expanding your child’s world. Get involved with the local food pantry, animal shelter, or any program that aligns with your kid’s interests.

3. Make a photo album — Your kid probably takes thousands of photos on their smartphone, but have they ever printed any of them out? Get prints made and work on putting together a classic scrapbook that your kid can use to celebrate their favorite memories.

4. Take a class — What’s something your kid has always wanted to try? Outdoor yoga? Hip-hop dancing? Playing an instrument? Whatever they’re interested in, there’s probably a class they can take in the community that will teach them that new skill.

5. Cook or bake something — Get your kid involved in the kitchen with you. Let them pick out a recipe that sounds good, and then make it together!

🚀 Ivy’s top links

Here’s everything I’m reading and sharing this week!

1. Christopher Nolan’s movies inspire obsession from his fans — but he credits that to his own obsession with his work. “Every film I do, I have to believe that I'm making the best film that's ever been made.” Read the full tweet thread here.

2. For kids who aren’t artists, starting a business (and designing a logo, a website, or even just finding unique stock photos) can feel insurmountable. But AI image generators are making it easier than ever. We break down exactly how to use them in our video here.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Ivy

CEO Prequel, BETA Camp, Apollo

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