We talk a lot about screens like they’re a moral failing.
Screen time = Bad. Lazy parenting. Brain rot. Insert panic headline here.
Yes, we should ALL aim for less screen time. (Trust me, I KNOW my doomscrolling until midnight 3 AM isn't helping anyone and that NO we shouldn’t watch another Disney movie this weekend). But here’s the reality for many of us: screens are often required for our lives still function.
They’re how we finish the workday.
They’re how dinner gets made.
They’re how siblings don’t actively injure each other while we answer one last email. (We know that’s not just us.)
The real tension isn’t whether screens exist. It’s that we’re expected to use them constantly for work (even my blue collar partner gets calls/texts all day) — and yet somehow raise kids who aren’t affected by them.
That’s not realistic, OR helpful. If you're a screen-free house, then power to you. But if you aren't- this one's for you by asking: If screens are part of our reality, how do we reduce harm, increase intention, and stop spiraling into guilt?
In this issue:
✅ How to offset screen time without cutting it entirely
✅ What research actually says about “educational” screens (you'd be surprised)
✅ An almost fail-proof way to curb your screen habits
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🧘♀️ Balance Screen Time With Green Time
👉 If screens are unavoidable, the best counterweight isn’t guilt —> it’s outside time.
We've all heard the evidence that time spent outdoors has amazing mental health benefits for, well, everyone, and now there's solid research showing that regular time outdoors can even help mitigate some of the negative effects associated with screen exposure, especially when it comes to attention, mood, and regulation.
The move isn’t “no screens.”
It’s screens + green time = balance. (Note: we didn’t say magic eraser)
Try this:
Pair any screen time with an outdoor activity (walk, park, backyard, stroller lap)
Think weekly balance, not perfect —> short, consistent outdoor time still adds up
Don’t overthink the activity; unstructured play is enough
The math is simple- the more green time, the better. And ADDING things somehow feels better than subtracting in this case.
⚡ Passive > Interactive (Yes, Really)
👉 Ever worry that screen time only “counts” if it’s educational? Turns out, not really.
Research shows that interactive screen time (tablets, phones, apps, games) is often more dysregulating for kids than calm, passive TV (here's a great writeup by Analog Family about this). Interactivity activates reward loops and hyperarousal — which can impact sleep, regulation, and behavior — even when it’s marketed as “learning.”
So if screens are happening anyway, the smarter move may actually be:
Passive over interactive.
TV across the room over iPad in their hands.
What that looks like in real life:
Choose low-stimulation, slower-paced shows or movies with a clear beginning and end
Here's a great list of recommendations (and yup, many millennial childhood favs made the list)
Be skeptical of “educational” apps — many aren’t research-backed
For kids under ~5, screens are most beneficial when you watch with them and talk about what’s happening
Minimize background screens/TV — if it’s on, make it intentional
Less screen time is ideal (obvi). But some couch chilling can actually be a win. For more practical advice to getting kids off screen and finding balance, we recommend the book "Childhood Unplugged" by Katherine Johnson Martinko.
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📲 The Parent Tech Stack
Smarter ways to use the tech you already have to make parenting easier.
📢 AM Routine Builder
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💬 Set the Example (Without Becoming a Monk)
👉 Kids notice our screen habits — we know that. Which means we have to break our own addictions, but that's easier said than done…
One tool we're testing to add friction: Brick — a physical device that locks distracting apps unless you intentionally unlock them.
Why this works:
It adds a pause instead of relying on willpower
It makes mindless scrolling slightly inconvenient (often enough)
It helps model boundaries, particularly during key family moments
We love how you can create a schedule based on when you want lock/unlock certain apps- no more nighttime scrolling while you silently count down the time you have left to sleep.
💼 This Week’s Work WTF
Inspired by real life events.
Scenario:
Your workday technically ends… but Slack, email, and Teams are still lighting up your phone all night.
What We Wish We Could Say:
“GO AWAY, PATRICIA.”
Steal This Response:
Honestly, silence is probably the best move here. But just in case, for that co-worker who just won’t take the hint…
“Hey! I’m offline after [time], but I’ll respond first thing in the morning. If something is truly urgent, please text or call.”
K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.
-CK “Just Trying Not to Screw Up” Fuller (Editor) & the JB Crew 🫡
P.S. Next week: Spring Break Travel Without the Price Tag (Plan It Before It’s Too Late)
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