The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 1KHO 672: My Generation Had Our Childhoods Burned Down | Sean Killingsworth, The Reconnect Movement
Jan 7, 2026
Sean Killingsworth, founder of the Reconnect Movement, advocates for phone-free environments to foster genuine connections. He shares insights on the failure of individual willpower against pervasive screens and introduces his phone-valet model for social gatherings. Sean discusses the nostalgia for real interactions among today's youth and urges families to create phone-free spaces at home. He highlights the challenges Gen Z faces in both social and workplace settings, emphasizing the need for cultural shifts towards phone-free experiences.
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Left Out By Screens
- Sean described being the only kid without a Nintendo DS at an afterschool program and having no one to play with.
- The promised toys meant nothing because peers were absorbed by screens.
Environment Beats Willpower
- Sean argues individual willpower fails when environments normalize phone use.
- He says creating phone-free spaces restores organic social connection quickly.
Use A Phone-Valet System
- Use a phone-valet system: collect phones, give numbered tickets, and let a host manage check-ins.
- This removes reliance on participant willpower and makes the space safe for presence.
