For families, that can mean questioning whether every convenience offered by a smartphone or connected device is actually useful. Slow tech encourages parents to consider what technology adds to family life and where simpler alternatives might provide more space for conversation, play and concentration.
The Slow Tech movement is built around using technology more intentionally rather than automatically reaching for the newest, fastest or most engaging digital tool. It does not mean abandoning technology altogether; instead, it emphasizes technology that supports relationships, creativity, learning and everyday life without taking over them.
The movement is also connected to concerns about the environmental and social costs of constantly replacing devices and chasing new technology. As Critical Playground puts it, “Slow Tech reframes technology as a craft, not a commodity,” emphasizing tools designed for longevity and meaningful use.
How Could Slow Tech Benefit Kids?
For children, reducing reliance on constantly connected devices can create more opportunities for activities that don’t involve screens. Reading, drawing, building, playing outdoors, listening to music or spending time with friends can become easier choices when entertainment isn’t always available at the tap of a button.
There is also a practical argument for giving children more opportunities to experience boredom. Without a device immediately filling every quiet moment, kids may have more opportunities to invent games, solve problems or simply notice what is happening around them.
A recent Slow Tech Festival in Pittsburgh brought together hundreds of families interested in spending less time on screens and exploring alternatives to smartphones. The event included options such as parent-controlled phones, Wi-Fi landlines, magazines for tweens and local, in-person activities.
The CBS report noted that a 2023 Gallup survey found teenagers spend almost five hours a day on social media, providing context for why some families are exploring different approaches. Kristen Beddard of PA Unplugged said the goal is to avoid allowing technology to “take away all of these real-world experiences that are really necessary and needed for healthy growth and development.”
How Parents Can Embrace Slow Tech at Home
Parents don’t need to eliminate technology to embrace slow tech. One approach is creating predictable phone-free periods, such as during family meals, car rides, homework or the hour before bedtime.
Simple low-tech alternatives can also make a difference. An analog alarm clock can replace a phone beside the bed, while a paper calendar, physical books, board games, magazines, disposable or digital cameras and music players with limited functionality can reduce the temptation to multitask.
The original Slow Tech Movement advice also suggests creating “no phone zones” and encouraging families to experience moments without immediately photographing or documenting them. The idea is less about rejecting technology and more about making sure it remains a tool rather than becoming the default response to boredom or silence.
Parents can start small by choosing one part of the day to slow down digitally. By participating themselves rather than simply imposing restrictions on children, parents can demonstrate that technology can be useful without needing to occupy every spare moment.
