We’re taking a brief break from our series on Family Tech Stories to talk about AI. Over the last few weeks, there have been several new features announced on major AI platforms that families should be aware of. Some are exciting changes that enable new ways to use this
Our next Unplugged Family Tech story focuses on how you can make a smart phone work as a first-time phone by bringing it back to basics. Rather than relying on what comes pre-loaded on a phone, you can remove problematic pre-sets and construct a more thoughtful set of apps for
The Unplugged team is excited to share another New Canaan Family's approach to technology. Parents often feel alone with the choices they make around devices, unsure if they are being too strict or too lenient. Ultimately, the best decisions are the ones that work for your family, but
This fall, New Canaan Unplugged will be sharing stories from families in our community highlighting a range of household technology choices. The number of communication options is huge and each family’s needs are distinct, but we can all learn from the different approaches that will be featured. The families
If you are looking into getting a phone for your child before school starts, it's helpful to know about the range of alternatives that can help delay or even replace a smartphone: * First Phones - A smartphone doesn't have to be a kids first phone. There
In many homes, landlines have gone extinct. And in those that still have them, they exist only to field telemarketers and robo calls. But in the last few months, an interesting thing has been happening – landlines are making a comeback - for kids! Families are forming “phone groups” where home
As the school year ends, it’s a great time to reflect on what worked (and what didn't) for your family. If something wasn't working, there is good news - Summer is a terrific time to reset! The change in schedule provides a unique opportunity to
When the iPhone was introduced in 2007, few people anticipated how having a computer and access to the internet in the palm of our hands would change our lives. In many ways, it was a grand experiment that yielded lots of advances, but also many challenges. As we navigate the
"Touch Grass" is often said to people who spend too much time online and need to take a break from the virtual world. Even if you don’t consider yourself “extremely online”, we are all subject to demands on our attention that keep us from being as present
This past Friday (5/2/25), Google announced they would be rolling out the Gemini AI Chat Bot to children under 13 (Click HERE to read the New York Times announcement). It was a stark reminder that AI is expanding into all facets of our daily lives at an incredibly
New Canaan Unplugged will be hosting an open conversation around building healthier relationships with technology and our families on Friday April 25, 2025 - 10:30am at Le Pain Quotidien on Elm Street. The goal of our gathering is to share learning and gain an appreciation for how others in
One year after the publication of The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt’s pivotal book has sparked a national discussion about technology and childhood. To commemorate its publication, Jonathan made his talk for parents and teachers available to everyone. If you haven’t read the book, this talk is a great