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Less Screens… More Play…
Better Health.
Phones and social media are robbing our kids of their childhood.
From Playgrounds to Screens:
The New Challenges of Raising Kids in a Digital World
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Nearly two thirds of teenagers report using social media every day.
-hhs.gov
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Nearly 50% of teens report using the internet almost constantly.
-hopkinsmedicine.org
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Over 3 hours of daily social media use doubles the risk of depression in children.
-hhs.gov
More Screen Time Leads to Less Play Time
Too much social media and screen time can lead to several negative effects on kids.
The Solution is Simple…
More Play Time
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Less Screen Time
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, we can help
Articles
Depression
Dislike Button: Swiping Left on Excessive Social Media, Screen Time, and Teen Depression
Teen anxiety and depression are skyrocketing—and the time spent on smartphones and social media appears to be igniting the fuse.
Articles
Depression
Breaking the Scroll Cycle: What Parents Can Do About Social Media and Teen Depression
In today’s digital world, social media is nearly impossible for teens to avoid—but at what cost?
Articles
Anxiety
A Pediatrician’s Perspective: How Smartphones and Social Media Fuel Anxiety in Youth
In exam rooms across the country, pediatricians are seeing a troubling trend: a rising tide of anxiety in children and teens.
Articles
Social Isolation
Alone Together: How Smartphones and Social Media Contribute to Social Deprivation in Youth
Picture a group of teenagers gathered in a living room—yet each sits silently, eyes locked on a screen, thumbs scrolling in unison. They’re together, but not truly with each other.
Articles
Sleep Deprivation
Tired All the Time: How Smartphones and Social Media Are Disrupting Teen Sleep
It’s time that parents wake up to the fact that sleep deprivation among youth is largely triggered by increased dependence on smartphones and social media.
Articles
Attention Fragmentation
Why Teens Struggle to Stay Focused in a World That Won’t Stop Buzzing
Every day, teens are bombarded by alarms, alerts, and the endless scroll, making it harder to concentrate, even for simple tasks.
Articles
Social Media Addiction
How Smartphones and Social Media Fuel Addiction in Youth
According to a 2022 survey by Common Sense Media, teens spend an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes daily on screens for entertainment
Articles
Attention Fragmentation
Why Teens Struggle to Stay Focused in a World That Won’t Stop Buzzing
Every day, teens are bombarded by alarms, alerts, and the endless scroll, making it harder to concentrate, even for simple tasks.
What You Can Do
- Delay smartphone until at least 8th grade.
- Establish phone-free zones (mealtimes, bedrooms)
- Model healthy digital habits yourself
- Encourage free play, independence, and real-world social interaction instead of online communication
- Advocate for phone-free school policies
- Encourage real-world play & interactions
- Educate students on digital literacy & mental health
- Use “Do Not Disturb” mode during key activities
- Try a social media detox challenge
- Prioritize real-life friendships & activities
Delay smartphone until 8th grade.
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Create a Personalized Family Media Use Plan
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Let Grow champions childhood through independent play and real life experiences.
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Children should be outside for 4-6 hours every day
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Utah’s program to engage school-age youth in fun, seasonal outdoor activities
Learn MoreFind Free Play
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Start The Conversation
How to talk to your child about smartphone use
Step 1
Set the Tone – Be Curious, Not Confrontational
Step 2
Share Your Own Perspective & Concerns
Step 3
Brainstorm Boundaries Together
Step 4
Model Healthy Behavior & Set Family Guidelines
Step 5
Keep the Conversation Open
Find Out
What’s Being Done to Help?
UVP's Commitment
We are committed to providing parents with research-based advice & support.
Use our interactive map to find free activities in your area
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30-day family challenge
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UVP articles on depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, social deprivation, attention fragmentation and addiction.
Learn MoreSchools:
Many Utah schools are adopting phone-free policies and integrating digital literacy education.
Utah schools incorporate digital literacy into their curriculum, teaching students about online safety, data protection, and responsible social media use.
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Resources and workshops for educators to effectively teach digital literacy and online safety.
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Programs and resources to help schools and communities promote online safety and digital citizenship.
Learn MoreUtah:
New laws are being considered to limit social media for minors.
An official initiative by the State of Utah aimed at educating parents, educators, and community leaders about the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health, sleep, and development.
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Provisions related to age assurance.
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Utah lawmakers advanced a bill to require app store providers — namely Apple and Google — to verify the age of each user who downloads apps.
Learn MoreNational:
National organizations and lawmakers addressing social media and its impact on youth.
Seeks to prohibit social media access for children under 13, restrict personalized recommendations for users under 17, and limit social media use in schools.
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Nonprofit organization that offers educational tools, reviews, and research about media and technology.
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Based at Boston Children’s Hospital, this lab aims to research and raise awareness about how digital technology affects youth mental health.
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