The Opt-Out Family: How To Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t

Loechner (Chasing Slow) is a former social media influencer who founded a global tech-free movement that bears the same name as this book’s title. Her book encourages parents to dig deep to uncover the roots of why they and their children turn to phones so frequently for nearly everything. She argues that phones and other technical options are draining the life out of children. She asserts that developmental delays, depression, loneliness, stress, and other conditions may arise when children spend too much time on their devices. But there’s good news, her book states: parents themselves can provide quality time in ways that technology can’t. She advises parents to encourage their child to create healthy habits that don’t involve technology, such as exploring nature’s offerings together. Peppered throughout the book are tech-related labels: “Log Off” denotes real-world ideas to engage one’s family without screens, “DM” headlines advice from other low-tech parents in the trenches, “+Follow” spotlights organizations and leaders fighting against technology’s influence, and “Selfie” offers questions for reflection and journaling prompts.