screenfree

Screenfree refers to a set of practices, policies, or attitudes that aim to reduce or eliminate the use of electronic screens in daily life. The term is used broadly to describe personal choices, family rules, or institutional guidelines designed to limit time spent with televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. Screenfree habits are often pursued to alleviate issues linked to excessive screen exposure, such as disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity, and diminished face-to-face interaction.

While there is no single author or formal movement called "screenfree," the concept emerged alongside concerns about rising screen time in the 2010s and 2020s. It intersects with broader digital wellness movements and with school and parental efforts to promote healthier technology use.

Typical implementations include screen-free zones (for example, bedrooms, dining areas) and screen-free times (before bed or during meals), as well as occasional screen-free days or weekends. Substitutes for screen time include reading, outdoor play, crafts, sports, or family conversations. In schools, screenfree policies might limit classroom use of devices for certain activities or designate device-free periods.

Proponents associate screenfree practices with better sleep, improved attention, stronger family relationships, and increased physical activity. However, empirical evidence is mixed; observational studies show links between high screen time and adverse outcomes, but causal relationships are not established, and the effects of reducing screen time can vary across individuals and contexts.

Critics caution that screenfree approaches can be impractical or inequitable, ignoring the educational value of digital tools and the social benefits of online communication. Critics argue for balanced or mindful use rather than outright elimination.

See also: digital detox, screen time, mindful technology use.