PLAY - PhoneLess Active Youth - Utah Valley Pediatrics

Less Screen Time.
More Play Time.
Better Health.

Social media is shaping childhood like never before.
Let’s make sure it’s for the better.

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 and one third report using social media “almost constantly.” -hhs.gov

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Nearly 50% of teens report using the internet “almost constantly,” and 90% engage with social media daily.
-hopkinsmedicine.org

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Children who spend more than 3 hours daily on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety. -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

Less Screen Time

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, please set an appointment

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

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What you can do

Parents

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

Teachers & Mentors

Advocate for phone-free school policies
Encourage real-world play & interactions
Educate students on digital literacy & mental health

Teens

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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Find Free Play

Search our interactive map for free local activities

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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.

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Schools:

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. Learn More

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.

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Utah:

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.

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National:

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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