The First DAD.
Hi, I’m Matthew. I’m starting DADS™— Dads Against Devices™ while my own five children are still young. Like many fathers, I’m concerned about the outcomes I see in today’s families — anxiety, unhappiness, digital dependence, and disconnection — and I want something better for mine.
Though far from perfect — and certainly not claiming to have all the answers — I’m determined to teach my children and lead my family — by example and instruction — to be present, build relationships, strengthen the body, and nurture the attributes of love, communication, empathy, kindness, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, critical thinking, imagination, discipline, patience, integrity, resilience, courage, wisdom, and faith.
For me, this journey starts by setting clear boundaries around technology, offering guidance, and building digital literacy early and consistently so that my family and I have time and space to enjoy and explore the human experience. I also want this for others.
At an event on June 21, 2025, I turned to a friend and asked, half-jokingly, if he would join me in not giving our kids smartphones until they turn 18. I said, “We’ll be Dads Against Devices.” It was my wife who noticed the acronym: DAD. And that’s how DADS™ got started.
What DADS™ Believe
As DADS™, we love our families and believe that presence, character, and real connection are at the heart of the human experience and central to living a life of meaning, purpose, and joy.
That’s why we believe that clear boundaries around technology — not bans — combined with guided exposure, not avoidance, and a focus on digital literacy over digital dependence, will help our families stay present and create the space and time needed to build real relationships, and develop the lifelong human attributes they need to thrive — emotionally, relationally, and intellectually.
This begins with DADS™ leading at home — but we also need moms, mentors and caregivers to join us in this effort.
Our pledge.
I will not provide my children with a smartphone or social media access until they become adults. Nor will I allow unlimited, unrestricted or unmonitored access to the internet, streaming services, gaming, or screens in our home. Instead, I will lead my family — by example and instruction — to be present, build relationships, strengthen the body, and nurture the attributes of love, communication, empathy, kindness, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, critical thinking, imagination, discipline, patience, integrity, resilience, courage, wisdom, and faith.
What we do
We live the pledge in our own homes, allowing grace knowing we aren’t perfect — then inviting others to join us without judgement.
We have honest conversations around technology and parenting… even when they’re difficult.
We share practical tips, inspiring stories, encouragement and resources to help DADS™ and others lead at home and raise strong, present, and digitally wise children.
Join DADS™ like you.
You won’t find us on social media — and that’s the point. Instead, our growing online community is gathering on Substack. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive practical tips, inspiring stories, encouragement, and resources to help you raise strong, present, and resilient children.
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Our AI Policy
We value the writing process and desire all our content to be original, authentic and written by real DADS™.
As DADS™ we are not opposed to using the remarkable tools available to us. At DADS™ before posting our own articles we typically use the following prompt in chat GPT:
What is the tone and message of this post? Are there any serious grammar errors that need fixing before posting?
Based on the feedback we make minor edits if necessary — but the voice remains authentic and human.
We occasionally use AI tools to help for research and brainstorming ideas but never to draft full articles. DADS™ need other humans to share, support and encourage; not an algorithm.
