Should we promote legislation to ban smartphones and social media?
As the founder of DADS™ — Dads Against Devices™ I’ve often wondered whether I should support legislation that would ban smartphones and social media for children.
There’s no doubt some precedent for it and I understand why some are drawn to legislative solutions. But my stance is simple: I will leave that debate to others.
I believe in leadership over legislation. Because laws, however well intentioned, will not create leaders in our homes.
What our children need most is not another law, they need fathers who lead.
They need us to model what healthy boundaries with technology looks like — and to guide them as they seek to create real relationships.
You can’t legislate connection.
Instead of focusing on legislation, we focus on doing the hard, slow work within our own homes — and then, without judgement, we invite other fathers to do the same — to become DADS™.
No law will compensate for failure within our own homes. But one intentional, present father can change everything.
Let’s change the world through presence, not policy.
From my home,
Matthew
Founder, DADS™— Dads Against Devices™
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.