How (and why) to give a Smartphone Free Childhood talk in your workplace

[.style-intro] Want to get people in your workplace talking about kids and smartphones – but not sure where to start? A short talk is one of the simplest ways to open up the conversation, connect colleagues, and help more families feel less alone as they figure this out together. [.style-intro]

[.style-link]Download the slides[.style-link]

For a lot of us, the whole “kids and smartphones” question has crept up quietly. One minute it’s something for “later”, the next it’s everywhere – WhatsApp groups, playground chats, birthday parties.

But not everyone is hearing the same information at the same time. Some schools are leading the conversation, others aren’t. And many families and carers are left trying to piece it together on their own.

That’s where workplaces can play a surprisingly powerful role.

Bringing this conversation into your workplace creates a space where people can pause, compare notes, and realise they’re not the only ones finding this tricky. 

This isn’t about telling anyone what to do. It’s about opening up a conversation we’ve all been dropped into, and figuring it out together.

[.style-link]Download the slides[.style-link]

What’s in the Talk?

This slide deck is designed to help you host a thoughtful, balanced conversation about kids, smartphones, and growing up in a world that’s changed fast.

It gently walks through:

• What childhood looks like today, and how smartphones have become part of the landscape
• The questions many families and carers are already asking (even if quietly)
• What we’re learning about how smartphones can shape sleep, focus, friendships and confidence
• Why timing matters  –  and why so many people are choosing to wait a bit longer
• The power of doing this together, rather than feeling like you’re going against the tide on your own

There’s no finger-wagging, no “perfect” way to do this. Just an honest, open look at a complex topic  –  the kind you’d have over a cup of tea with someone who’s a few steps ahead and wants to share what they’ve learned.

Tips for Giving the Talk

You don’t need to be an expert. In fact, it works better if you’re not.

• Start with your story
  What made you interested in this? A moment, a conversation, a feeling? That’s what people connect with.
• Keep it human
  This isn’t a presentation to deliver perfectly. It’s a conversation to open.
• Make space for people to share
  Some of the most valuable moments come when people realise others are thinking the same things.
• Hold the nuance
  Smartphones aren’t all good or all bad  –  and everyone’s situation is different. Let that be part of the conversation.
• Keep it doable
  You’re not trying to solve everything in one session. You’re just getting the conversation started.

What Happens Next?

Often, the biggest shift is simply this: people stop feeling like they’re the only one.

From there, small things start to happen:

• Conversations continue  –  at home, with friends, with other families
• People feel more confident waiting a bit longer, or making changes that feel right for them
• Informal groups form, where people support each other and share what’s working

If there’s appetite, you might:

• Run another session for those who want to go deeper
• Share resources internally so people can explore at their own pace
• Connect people who want to stay in touch and figure this out together

This isn’t about getting it “right”. It’s about not having to figure it out alone.

And when enough of us start having the same conversation  –  wherever we are  –  things begin to shift.

[.style-link]Download the slides[.style-link]