In 1995, a 14-year-old named Carly declared this was the end of her movie-watching days.
While her peers were heading to see hits like “Clueless” and “Jumanji,” Carly found herself feeling out of place. She had chosen to watch a lesser-known sci-fi movie called “Powder” instead.
“It felt cheap,” said Carly, now 45 and working in real estate in Carrollton, Virginia. “I thought, ‘I’m done with movies. Why am I so fascinated by seeing other people’s lives on screen when I can just live my own?'”
Since that moment, she has stayed away from TV and movies entirely. When she became a mother, she decided to extend her no-screen policy to her children.
Unlike many parents focused mainly on curbing smartphone and social media time, Carly takes it further by all but banning television, streaming, and video games for her two sons, aged 8 and 9.
Her concern was that she didn’t want them to fall into the average trap where kids spend over seven hours daily on screens. That’s particularly alarming given the links between excessive screen time and issues like poor sleep and developmental delays.
With tablets banned and only one old TV that hardly gets used, she admits they sometimes miss important news, like approaching hurricanes. Although, she did acquire a cell phone for work to stay connected.
While other kids unwind by watching YouTube or Netflix after school, Carly’s sons play outdoors, hone cooking skills, and help in the garden. However, she acknowledges that as her boys grow and spend more time with friends, her strict no-screen policy might have to adapt.
“They know other kids have devices,” she remarked. “I just don’t know how to introduce it gradually without getting overly excited about it.”
Dr. Gene M. Twenge, who wrote “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World,” indicated that going screen-free can be wise if parents can stick with it.
“It’s a great approach, if manageable,” she told the Post. “However, enforcing those limits can be tricky in the long term.”
She also noted that while kids might feel left out in some conversations, they often pick up enough from peers that it’s usually not as problematic as parents fear.
Carly has a “point system” for chores, letting her sons earn an hour of playtime on their Nintendo Switch. That’s something she is increasingly considering, especially since they’re asking for screen time more frequently.
“I often wonder, ‘Am I making the right choice?'” she shared. “I fear they might miss out on certain experiences, but I want to be cautious.”
Carly isn’t the only parent opting out of screens. There are others with different reasons. For instance, Ashley M., 41, a stay-at-home mom from Pennsylvania now living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, skipped TV starting in 2012 as a way to save money during her husband’s training.
“I realized we didn’t actually need a TV,” Ashley reflected. “We were simply enjoying each other’s company and hanging out with friends.”
With two daughters, aged 8 and 10, they maintain a mostly screen-free lifestyle, reserving occasional family movie nights on the iPad. Reading has become a treasured hobby for the family.
“The girls read during breakfast,” she noted. “They’re avid readers, so I always load up my Kindle and go to the library with them.”
Ashley, who treasures the free-spirited days of the ’90s, appreciates having like-minded neighbors. “The kids ride bikes around the neighborhood and check in at designated times,” she explained.
However, as her daughters have gotten older, she’s had to allow them to watch their friends play video games or use social media. “Does that disturb me? Absolutely,” she admitted. “But they need to learn and grow.”
Abby T., 38, from Wakefield, Virginia, employs a no-screen, no-cable, no-Wi-Fi method. She uses a smartphone mainly for calls and occasional Facebook updates.
“Being a homeschooling family means we occasionally watch educational content, like historical events,” she explained. “My daughter loves space, so we watched the Artemis II launch together.”
Abby’s three children (ages 4, 3, and 2 months) sometimes watch movies on an old TV, mostly vintage Disney VHS tapes for the older kids.
Living in a small town helps her family maintain a simple lifestyle.
“We have a mini farm with a big pond and a boardwalk. If people think we’re depriving our kids by limiting TV, they should come by,” she chuckled.
After breakfast and schoolwork, her children spend most of their day outside, exploring and caring for animals. On colder days, they indulge in coloring and imaginative play without tech.
“My older kids played with Play-Doh for five hours straight,” she remarked, sounding a bit surprised. “Because we’ve raised them this way, their focus and creativity haven’t suffered, which is wonderful.”
This perspective resonates with Twenge, who asserts that going screen-free promotes better concentration and fosters real-life interactions. “Kids get the chance to engage in various creative activities,” she noted.
The benefits, especially in reading, are clear for Abby’s family. “We read chapter books together, and I can see them fully immersed in the stories,” she expressed fondly. “My 4-year-old reading at a fourth-grade level has been a definite plus.”
But for most families, extreme screen restrictions might not be their plan—and that’s perfectly fine, says Twenge.
“A moderate approach is usually the best option,” she pointed out. “About an hour of screen time daily won’t lead to significant issues, but when it surpasses that, problems tend to arise.”
Amid rising concerns about social media and excessive screen time, these families demonstrate a glimpse into a life less dominated by screens.
