#screen-time

#screen-time

I'm pretty sure that two generations ago, they would have been more like I was: always with their nose in some volume, looking up only to cross the street or to guide a fork on their plates. But today, even in our book-crammed home, where their father is often in a cozy reading chair, their eyes are more likely to be glued to a screen.

"In my opinion, it's because the natural, human interaction that used to be part of daily life is no longer there. For example, growing up, my neighborhood was FULL of kids who all played outside. Riding their bikes, running around, inevitably meeting other kids, and navigating those interactions. There was no internet, no phones - just human interaction. A lot is learned through that."

Writing a picture book isn't easy. Some people might think it is-especially if they've read enough bad ones-but writing a true gem of children's literature is exceptionally hard work. Great children's books make kids laugh and adults cry, have rhythm, meter, and great pictures, and somehow speak to something deep in a child's soul, making them want to return to the pages again and again.

Parents have one burning question: Does AI collapse the world of possibilities for their kids, or does it open up new ones? I spent two hours in a room with around 30 adults to learn about what it means to raise children with the help of AI. The event took place during Pulse NYC AI Week and was hosted by Build First, an AI workshop company. Concern, confusion, and excitement were the main emotions circulating around the tiny Upper East Side school auditorium

The problem is not just social media, but rather the quick "hits" of news, entertainment, and other information we experience all day long. These short bites, without context, are diminishing our prefrontal neural networks and affecting our ability to plan, organize, and solve problems. Teens who think they understand an issue because they've seen a 15-second video about it have not only missed the news, but they've missed the opportunity to understand context, evaluate sources, and draw conclusions. And it's damaging their brains along the way.

Smartphones aren't just for calls and texts anymore; they're how most Americans handle just about everything. As of 2023, over 91% of people in the U.S. own one, according to the Pew Research Center, and the average person now spends over four hours a day glued to their phone screen, according to a 2025 eMarketer study. In this article, Spokeo breaks down screen time: How much time people spend on their phones?

More and more people are ditching their iPhones and Samsungs for so-called "dumbphones" or "feature phones". Once mocked as relics of the early 2000s, these devices are enjoying a quiet comeback. From teenagers wanting fewer distractions to parents worried about screen addiction, the UK is seeing a small but significant trend that surprises tech companies. And while Brits simplify their devices, they still find ways to enjoy modern pleasures-from streaming to new casinos

Reading aloud from birth is one of the most powerful predictors of literacy and school success. More than a warm bedtime ritual, it's a daily act that wires a child's brain for language, strengthens bonds with caregivers, and sparks a love of learning. Yet, headlines warn of trouble. A recent study reveals that only 41 percent of children between birth and age 4 are read to frequently, a dramatic drop from 64 percent in 2012.

For a guy who spends eight hours or more on my phone fairly often, the results have been good. According to Apple's screen-time reports, days in which I "brick" my phone correspond to anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent less time on my phone. I've set Brick to withhold all social media apps and a few others, like the MLB app, so that I cannot wind myself up by checking Pittsburgh Pirates scores.

Unrestricted access to screens has resulted in students demonstrating reduced curiosity and perseverance, affecting their ability to engage with imaginative tasks and sustain attention.

A new global study, involving over 100,000 individuals across 59 countries, suggests that owning a smartphone before the age of 13 may mark a critical threshold in a child's cognitive and emotional development.

The World Health Organization study showed that 11% of minors believe their lives are significantly altered by devices, with 32% at risk of problematic usage.

New research shows that screen time is associated with depression and white matter brain changes in teens. Screen time isn't inherently bad, but how, when, and why it's used matters a lot.

While the last Toy Story introduced low-fi characters like Gabby Gabby and Forky, Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter revealed at Annecy that the new film will be all about tech.

Drawing strangers at airports, in cafes or on the tube is fun. I enjoy the element of danger. Will I get caught? Can I finish the drawing before that person moves on?

Erik Liermann's innovative prototype combines Lego and video games, using real Lego bricks as input in an Unreal Engine 5-based game to solve problems.