Why I Still Believe in the Fone: A Parent’s Answer to Screen Addiction

As a parent raising kids in a hyper-digital world, I often feel like I’m walking a tightrope. On one side: the convenience and safety that technology can offer. On the other: the growing addiction to screens—YouTube rabbit holes, autoplay series, endless scrolling on tablets, streaming platforms like Netflix. It’s overwhelming.

That’s why, when I discovered the myFirst Fone, it felt like someone had finally designed tech that gets it—something created with kids in mind and with parents in the loop. It wasn’t just another smart device—it was part of our solution.

A Smartwatch That Doesn’t Feed Screen Addiction

Unlike a smartphone, the Fone isn’t a portable entertainment center. There’s no YouTube. No TikTok. No streaming. It’s a tool, not a distraction. My kids aren’t glued to it. They wear it, use it when they need it, and then go right back to being kids—riding their bikes, playing with friends, or talking to us at the dinner table without their eyes on a screen.

For me, this was the balance I was looking for: a connected device that still respects boundaries and childhood.

The Class Mode That Respects the Classroom

One of my early concerns was, “What happens when they’re in school?” I didn’t want to be that parent whose kid’s watch beeps during math or distracts the class.

That’s where Class Mode blew me away. It’s genius.

I can schedule it right from the app—no back-and-forth needed. When it’s active, the watch goes silent and blocks all notifications and interactions, except for emergencies. The screen stays off, and my kid can focus without distractions. The teacher doesn’t even notice it’s there.

It’s respectful, discreet, and reinforces what I’ve always told my kids: there’s a time and place for everything—including tech.

Still a Lifeline When They’re Out and About

Now let’s talk about the moments that do matter—those little pockets of independence that kids start to get as they grow up. Walking to the bus stop. Cycling to school. Going to a friend’s birthday party. Or even just stepping out to grab something with grandma.

The Fone has been our peace of mind. I know where my kids are. They can call or send me a quick voice message. And if something goes wrong, they know how to reach me—no borrowing a stranger’s phone, no panic.

All this without handing over a smartphone that opens the floodgates to every app, every distraction, every dopamine-triggering algorithm.

Tech That Works With My Parenting, Not Against It

I’m not anti-tech. I’m just pro-childhood. I want my kids to grow up in the real world, not a digital one. And I want to introduce them to technology in ways that are safe, gradual, and healthy.

The myFirst Fone is the first piece of tech that’s truly helped me do that. It keeps us connected. It keeps them safe. But most importantly—it keeps them grounded.

No autoplay. No scrolling. No screen addiction.

Just the right amount of tech at the right time.

And for this parent, that’s the kind of future I want for my kids.