Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance

Reclaim childhood from digital devices—and rediscover the wonder of real life

Screens dominate modern childhood. The average child spends 7.5 hours a day on digital devices, leaving parents worried about anxiety, disconnection, and lost creativity. Childhood Unplugged offers a proven path to reclaiming childhood—without guilt, shame, or unrealistic rules.

Written by journalist and parenting expert Katherine Martinko, this inspiring guide helps families replace screentime with meaningful, hands-on experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and connection.

What You'll Learn

• How to reduce digital dependency and set healthy screen boundaries at every age.
• The hidden links between screen use, childhood anxiety, and attention challenges.
• Practical strategies for nurturing independent, resilient kids in a tech-saturated world.
• Real-world stories from families who've successfully reclaimed childhood—no tech meltdowns required.
• Ways to make outdoor play, creativity, and boredom your family's greatest teachers.

With a warm, evidence-based approach, Martinko blends neuroscience, family psychology, and digital minimalism to show parents how to raise happier, calmer, more grounded kids.

Praise for Childhood Unplugged

"...solid ideas for reducing digital dependency." — Publishers Weekly

"...a helpful guide for parents who hope to curb their family's electronic habits." — Foreword Reviews

"Real-world tools for parents to declutter their minds and set up safeguards to put themselves in control of digital technology. A digital minimalist's must-have guide." — Joshua Becker, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Things That Matter

"Katherine Martinko has written a treatise no parent should miss. How do we protect and enhance the humanity of our children in an age where they've been so recklessly bombarded with unfettered technology?" — Loreena McKennitt, Founder, Stolen Child Project

A Gentle Invitation

If you've felt uneasy about how digital devices shape your child's world—but aren't sure where to start—this book offers clarity, compassion, and a roadmap toward balance. It's time to unplug and rediscover the magic of being a kid.