Clare Morell, a public policy expert and author of The Tech Exit, discusses alarming issues around children's screen time. She reveals how chronic dry eye is now affecting kids as young as eight, linked to reduced blinking from excessive screen use. Morell emphasizes the broader impact of digital overuse on children's brains and creativity. With practical tips for parents, teachers, and community leaders, she advocates for fostering real-life connections and reducing screen reliance, highlighting innovative solutions to encourage healthier activities for youth.
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insights INSIGHT
Dry Eye Epidemic in Children
Chronic dry eye is affecting children as young as eight due to reduced blinking during screen use.
The oil glands damaged by lack of blinking do not regenerate, causing lifelong eye issues.
insights INSIGHT
Kids Struggle With Original Thought
Students struggle to have original thoughts due to constant entertainment and lack of solitude.
This lack of mental space makes transitioning to writing or thinking uncomfortable and even panic-inducing.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Screen Time Limits Fail
Screen time limits for children often fail and cause constant battles in families.
Digital addiction changes children's desires, making real-world activities seem dull in comparison.
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Clare Morell
Clare Morell's "The Tech Exit" offers a comprehensive strategy for parents seeking to reduce their children's dependence on smartphones. The book provides actionable steps for initiating a digital detox and maintaining a low-tech lifestyle. It emphasizes the importance of replacing screen time with real-world activities and responsibilities to foster healthier habits. Morell addresses challenges like withdrawal symptoms and offers solutions for navigating school environments with prevalent screen use. It also highlights the positive impact of reducing screen time, such as improved relationships, creativity, and engagement with the real world.
The Opt Out Family
How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't
Erin Loechner
Erin Loechner's "The Opt-Out Family" explores the challenges and rewards of minimizing technology's role in family life. The book delves into the potential negative impacts of excessive screen time on children's development and family relationships. Loechner offers practical strategies and insights for creating a more balanced and intentional lifestyle, emphasizing real-world connections and experiences. It encourages families to prioritize face-to-face interactions and activities that foster deeper bonds. The book promotes a thoughtful approach to technology integration, rather than complete avoidance.
What if your child’s screen time is causing permanent damage—and you don’t even know it yet? In this compelling episode, Ginny Yurich sits down with Clare Morell, public policy expert and author of The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones. Together, they unpack one of the most startling screen-related health issues facing kids today: chronic dry eye. Once seen only in the elderly, dry eye is now affecting children as young as eight—often irreversibly—due to reduced blinking during screen use.
But it’s not just the eyes. Clare shares how digital overuse is quietly reshaping children’s brains, behavior, and even their ability to think original thoughts. From real-life stories of families who ditched devices to groundbreaking school policies and church youth group solutions, this conversation will leave you informed—and empowered. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or community leader, you’ll come away with practical tools, conviction, and the clarity to lead differently in a screen-saturated world.
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The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 