Breaking Free: One Family's Journey Away from Screens

As parents, many of us want our kids to read more books. However, in a world filled with visual stimuli and the increasing influence of technology, that's easier said than done.

Molli DeFrank, a mom of five kids ages 3-10, found herself facing this challenge. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but screens have affected my kids exactly as research suggests: they've caused irritability and bickering, driven them away from books, and sparked arguments over almost everything," she explains.

She believes even one hour of screen time a day is too much for a generation that's "so self-absorbed."

On a special website she set up, Molli urges parents and educators to consider the detrimental effects of screens (like computers and phones), stating that "we need to rethink our course quickly, before it's too late."

Molli kicked off her kids' digital 'detox' with a 30-day experiment, intending to slowly reintroduce screens afterward. "I disconnected them from screens all at once," she shares. "I expected it to be incredibly hard for them, but to my surprise, they all adapted easily. My nine-year-old daughter even mentioned several times how happy she was to have no TV and instead enjoy more quality time with us and her books."

She also notes how quickly her daughter now devours books, grabbing them as soon as Molli buys them. "My son teaches the family what he learns in art class, and that was entirely his idea. Suddenly, we have precious family time where there is patience to learn important values. My children's creativity has blossomed, and their reading skills have improved dramatically. Today, they are far more obedient, attentive to my requests, happier, and sleep better at night, thanks to this positive change I wholeheartedly recommend to every parent."