There’s no denying that digital screens are literally everywhere in our daily life and our society: whether it’s our smartphones, computers, television screens or tablets – you simply can’t avoid them. However, one mom figured that her kids didn’t need all of those screens to grow up, so she decided to ban them.
Mom Molly DeFrank wanted to go oldskool: no digital technology for the kids, but books, family time and playing outside instead.
Molly, who works as a blogger and a professional writer, noticed that her children spent way too much time on their phones and on the tv, and decided to limit and eventually downright ban the use of screens altogether.
She posted a photo on her Facebook profile showing an absolutely adorable sight: her children all in bed together reading a book.
“We did not stage this photo,” she wrote.
“Months ago we removed screen time from our kids. Why? Because my precious babies were acting like demogorgons. And Mama don’t play.”
“We’d only allowed an hour a day, but still, the screens apparently muted their creativity, caused grumpiness, fighting and whining. I was not into it. So we pulled the plug, literally.”
At first, the children weren’t too happy about the whole thing at all.
However, quite shockingly, that didn’t seem to last very long. They protested, but then soon were able to move on and lead a life without any pixels shining in their face. And mom was absolutely shocked and relieved, she even said it felt like she had her kids back.
“They protested for a hot minute and then we all moved on. I could not believe how easy it was. Seriously, it was like I had my kids back.”
“So we told the kids at dinner that screens were no longer an option in our home. After the weeping and gnashing of teeth subsided, guess what? Everyone moved on. What started as a thirty day screen detox has become a lifestyle overhaul in our home of five children under the age of ten. Quitting was shockingly easy, surprisingly sustainable, and my nine year old daughter has told me on several occasions that she’s glad we’ve cut them out,” Molly later clarified on her blog.
Not having access to digital technology also made them think differently and in innovative ways; they even built their own ‘school’ with books instead of Wikipedia.
“I watched my kids go from screen-dependent to cooperatively playing, creating and even making their own “school.” I couldn’t believe how easy it was.”
Molly says that there are tons of benefits to restricting or even forbidding screen time for children.
For example, mom Molly herself now has the opportunity to see her kids’ talents now that they’re not occupied by screens, and they’re also taking more initiative to find their interests on their own. Her daughter became an avid reader and now even writes her own stories, while her son has found a passion for drawing. Getting rid of the screens gave them the opportunity to discover their passions and interests.
“Certainly, technology can be useful in its right place…but after a quick assessment of my babies’ behavior, I knew we needed a technology overhaul.”
“A few Saturdays into our screen detox, my kids woke up one by one and saw my husband and I reading in bed. They grabbed their own books and joined us. At restaurants they bring a stack of books instead of propped ipads. My daughter has grown five reading levels in seven months.”
The kids’ grades at school also greatly improved.
Mom also says that they’ve been happier ever since the new house policy was introduced, and the increased creativity and imagination due to the lack of digital input is definitely noticeable. The kids also sleep a lot better – it’s been scientifically proven that looking at computer displays before bedtime will make it a lot harder to fall asleep.
“My kids love all of the screens. But the screens do not love my kids back. It turns out that screens were doing to my children exactly what the studies claimed they were doing: cultivating distracted, grumpy and argumentative little people. Not what I want for my babies who I love more than life,” Molly concluded.
Molly’s post went viral on social media and she was flooded with comments who have similar experiences.
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We did not stage this photo. Months ago we removed screen time from our kids. Why? Because my precious babies were…
Posted by Molly DeFrank onThursday, November 7, 2019
