Why Offline Childhood?

We’re parents. And we’re trying…

Trying to be “conscious”. Trying to break cycles, but raise nice kids. Trying to eat healthy, model self-regulation, get outside more, delay the introduction of smartphones, and avoid excessive screentime. We are not purists in that regard; we are not advocating for a completely offline existence (but if you’re doing that, we salute you!). We just know that this world has gotten a little off the hook when it comes to screen addiction, phone addiction, social media scrolling, algorithmic ecochambers, and, oh yes, now AI.

So what’s the solution? Empowerment. We want parents and caretakers to feel informed, encouraged, and empowered to make choices about digital consumption that are right for their family. Without fear-mongering, because technology can be really great. So much of the modern world is digital, but we’re seeing a shift – maybe due to nostaglia – to more analog ways of life. In an era of cultural exhaustion with all things artificial and the growing (research-backed) awareness of the impact of screens on kids – and now, AI permeating media production and consumption – we thought there was a real need for a directory of products, services, and thought leadership that could guide parents and provide alternatives to technology oversaturation.

What will it become?

The real goal is to form a diverse community of parents, caregivers, and educators who are hoping to encourage a slightly more offline childhood for their kids, or at least emphasize responsible technology use. We would love to grow in this direction, encouraging interactions and community-building. If this sounds interesting to you, please answer a few questions to let us know what the ideal membership experience could look like for you.

Got a suggestion about a product or service we should list on this site? Know an expert we should highlight? Have a review you’d like to write? By all means, let us know.

Who are you?

This site was founded by a mom who lives outside New York City and works in technology. She is supported by a group of other parent friends who provide content, feedback, and resources. She also built a few AI agents to automate the research process – because these tools could and should be used for good.

Feel free to get in touch: hello@offlinechildhood.com