Kids IRL (in real life) is our Marin-wide coordinated effort to make childhood more IRL and less URL.
Smartphones and digital devices are rewiring childhood and crowding out childhood activities that are essential for healthy human development - like play, sleep, exercise, focused learning, and social interaction.
Change is possible, if we act together.
We invite all K-8 parents, educators, clinicians, and youth program providers in Marin to huddle up with us to recalibrate and guide local change via the action steps outlined below. Our community-based action plan is based on the four community norms outlined in Jonathan Haidt’s book, Anxious Generation.
Together let’s reclaim essential childhood activities and spaces from the overreach of tech - so we can foster healthy, engaged, and interconnected youth. Let’s join forces to keep tech in check and roll it out slowly and thoughtfully to our children.
✔ Distribute the Family Guidelines
✔ Commit to a phone-free school day. Find curated resources here.
✔ Distribute the Family Guidelines at your practice
✔ Discuss screen use with your patients
✔ Make your program phone-free
✔ Refrain from using social media with youth (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, etc)
Our collective next steps are in the works and will be shaped by community input. We recognize community change is a multi-faceted process - we approach this work with compassion and a collaborative team spirit.
Help Marin youth thrive by supporting Kids IRL! Make a tax-deductible donation today.
We are looking for funding options and grant opportunities. If you are interested in joining our Kids IRL fundraising team, email us.
Kids IRL (in real life) is a Marin County-wide coordinated effort to keep digital tech in check and roll it out more slowly to our children - so screens don’t crowd out essential childhood activities. By changing local norms together, we reduce pressure on parents and kids, protect our children’s mental health, and improve family life.
