In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Jenny Perez — entrepreneur, mother, and founder of Unplugged Canada, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of smartphones and social media on children.
Perez shares insights on how constant device use affects kids’ physical health, emotional well-being, and family communication, while also fuelling issues such as bullying, anxiety, and social isolation. Drawing on research and her own experience as a parent, she explains why delaying smartphone access until at least age 14 can help safeguard child development. She also highlights the importance of teaching consent, independence, and responsible digital habits from an early age.
The discussion explores the realities of raising children in today’s hyper-connected world, and outlines practical strategies for parents to foster healthier relationships with technology.
Key Takeaways:
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Smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood with serious implications for kids’ mental and emotional health.
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Delaying smartphone access until around age 14 allows children to be developmentally ready.
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Community-driven initiatives can help parents push back against the normalization of early device use.
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Social media poses risks comparable to tobacco, with potential long-term effects on independence and development.
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Open communication between parents and children about consent and online interactions is critical.
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Parents are encouraged to seek out resources to better understand technology’s impact on their child’s overall well-being.
JENNY PEREZ
Founder, Unplugged Canada
Entrepreneur
Mother of 1
“As I was raising my daughter, I was hoping that things would change because I was aware of the data and the research showing that these devices were not necessarily that helpful in the development of children. But as my daughter reached 8 years old and I was told that the only way for children to communicate in these times was through social media and that the time to give her a smartphone was going to happen soon. That triggered the sense of urgency to do something about it.”