PORT Stephens Unplugged, the nonprofit movement that aims to empower the community to counter children’s overuse of technology, was launched recently.
“Unplugged is a movement that was created because no one – no parent, no school, no part of the community – is to blame for what’s happening with kids overusing screens,” psychologist and founding member, Kate Preston said.
After months of behind-the-scenes work, Unplugged had its community launch at St Philip’s Christian College on 24 August, with strong interest and participation from both adults and children.
Emma Stilinovic, psychologist at Strive Hive, delivered a research-based presentation on the dangers of social media and divisive algorithms.
While the topic is not new, finding a solution is as difficult as ‘fighting biology’.
“The part of the brain that basically says ‘that’s enough, we’ve had enough time,’ isn’t fully developed until the age of 25,” said Ms Stilinovic.
“Tech companies know that young brains don’t have brakes: they know that they’re desperate for connections, and they allow kids to get them.”
Since 2017, there’s been a dramatic increase in childhood anxiety and depression.
Compared to previous generations, today’s kids are also experiencing a decrease in creativity, memory, time-management skills and, for the first time, intelligence.
Delaying the introduction of smartphones to children by replacing them with ‘dumbphones’ is the best way to combat these issues. However, as many parents know, that’s far from easy.
“What we’re trying to produce is something that can be tailored,” board member Dale Hourihan said.
Port Stephens Unplugged is striving to implement a community-based approach where children and guardians can get real, unstructured face-to-face time together, free of pressure or guilt.
Some of the events planned include technology-free connect and play family days, digital detox bootcamps and other community gatherings.
Unplugged is also campaigning for schools to return to traditional pen and paper learning, as well as opening their gates on weekends to give children a safe space to interact with their peers.chnology plays an important part in our society.
However, Port Stephens Unplugged hopes more people will join the movement to learn how to help children navigate a world where the importance of play over screen time is being forgotten.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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