Going Old School by Going Low-Tech
Growing up in the 80s, I remember every “high-tech” device we owned—mainly because there were so few. Our giant wood-framed TV had just two dials and a foil-wrapped antenna we adjusted constantly. TV shows ended at night with color bars signaling no further broadcasting until morning. I used a typewriter for school papers, played Oregon Trail on floppy disks, and hand wrote book reports in cursive until my hand cramped. I got my first pager at 15— as cell phones were still not mainstream for teens.
Then there were the offline opportunities where we played with toys like Etch-A-Sketch, Rubik’s Cube, jump rope, bicycles, roller skates, climbed trees, mud pies, fishing in the local pond, and playing outside until the streetlights came on. Times have changed, and many of these opportunities aren’t as safe or available for today’s youth.
A stark contrast to today’s always-connected world, kids in the 80's and 90's were unplugged simply because of lack of availability. Today’s youth face the opposite—screens are everywhere, while many offline experiences have faded. But this shift offers parents a powerful opportunity: to guide kids in choosing intentional screen limits and prioritizing hands-on, outdoor, and face-to-face activities. The payoff? Sharper focus, better sleep, stronger memory, and lasting life skills for both school and beyond.
Brain & Academic Benefits of Reduced Screen Time
Focus & Executive Function: Improves attention, organization, and impulse control.
Memory & Deep Learning: Offline hands-on tools and fewer digital distractions boost retention.
Sleep & Academic Success: Less screen time before bed improves sleep and test performance.
Social-Emotional Health: Increases face-to-face interaction, reducing depression and improving life satisfaction and relationships.
10 Tips to Help Students Unplug
- Use parental controls on phones and devices to set time limits, block certain apps, schedule downtime, and monitor usage.
- Remove non-essential apps that are distracting or unnecessary.
- Restrict access to app stores to prevent downloading new games or social media without permission.
- Limit internet access to shared family devices instead of personal phones or tablets.
- Consider kid-safe phones or minimalist options like Gabb Wireless or a basic flip phone.
- Create clear tech rules together as a family—decide when, where, and how devices can be used.
- Establish screen-free zones and times, such as during meals, before bed, or in bedrooms. Work with schools to support limited screen use in class.
- Encourage offline hobbies like reading, sports, art, or outdoor play.
- Model healthy screen habits by limiting your own device use and prioritizing real-life activities.
- Promote real-life social time with friends, playdates, sports, and in-person hangouts.
Tech is a tool—not a toy. Use it with intention.
Going “old school” with a low-tech offline lifestyle empowers kids to thrive. What may feel as something being “taken away” is a gift– more focus, creativity, connection, and emotional resilience. Intentional tech use builds the life skills that lead to success both in school and beyond.
About Lisa Horne
Lisa Horne is a School Board Member and Board Clerk for J.O. Combs Unified School District #44, a registered yoga instructor and certified holistic nutritionist. She holds a B.S. in Business Marketing and is the mother of five. Lisa is a home educator of 13 years, with children currently attending Combs. She has a background in public policy, education, as well as broadcast journalism.
Going “old school” with a low-tech offline lifestyle empowers kids to thrive. What may feel as something being “taken away” is a gift...