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| | | | | Members in Action FoolProof Teaches Kids to Think Differently about Money |
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| |  | Just some of the FoolProof team: Niels Postma, Revier Dijkhuis, Will deHoo and their families along with Action Network member, Remar Sutton. |
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Children’s screen use can easily blur the concept of spending, encouraging kids to follow brand-sponsored influencers and costing families hundreds if not thousands of dollars on in-app and gaming purchases. Many financial literacy organizations are eager to help, but most are sponsored by banks or financial institutions, themselves looking to build brand loyalty.
An organizational member of the Action Network and longtime Fairplay partner, FoolProof teaches healthy skepticism and consumer life skills that prepare middle and high school students for life success. A program of the Walter Cronkite Foundation, Foolproof helps kids understand that money is a tool with an important role in their lives, not just cash for immediate wants and needs. Basic budgeting and saving are among the important concepts included. If you’re a teacher or parent we recommend bringing FoolProof Academy, a free curriculum to your school. We especially like the videos, by kids themselves. Check out “They don’t call it debt, they call it CREDIT” on this page. |
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| |  | Author, psychologist, award-winning ventriloquist, and Fairplay founder, Susan Linn, Ed.D., is a world-renowned expert on creative play and the impact of media and commercial marketing on children. Her book, Who’s Raising the Kids?, explores the roots and consequences of this monumental shift toward a digitized, commercialized childhood, focusing on kids’ values, relationships, and learning. From birth, kids have become lucrative fodder for a range of tech, media, and toy companies, from producers of exploitative games and social media platforms to “educational” technology and branded school curricula of dubious efficacy. Written with humor and compassion, Who’s Raising the Kids? is unique — a highly readable social critique and guide to protecting kids from exploitation by the tech, toy, and entertainment industries. Some days it seems we can’t keep up with the myriad books on issues related to children’s screen use and online safety. Our network is home to some of the most prolific authors and practical books that inspire, inform, educate, and connect us with our common purpose. In 2025, we aim to highlight as many as possible. If you are a network author and would like your book featured this year, please fill out this form for consideration. We will do our best to feature as many as possible. |
| | | | | A Mini Message From Jean  Last week I walked into our local bakery, which I have been patronizing for at least 25 years, to order a cake for my daughter’s baby shower. I had been driving by and said to myself, “Yes! I’ll just walk in and order the cake and that’s one thing off my list.”
Gone was the screen set-up by which I had searched their design catalog in the past. No person approached me to inquire about my needs. Hmm, I thought, maybe they went back to the notebook of designs in clear plastic sheets. I scanned the area. No notebook. Finally, a young girl in a white baker’s jacket caught my eye and came over, looking just as confused as I.
I spoke first.
“I’d like to order a baby shower cake. Can you show me the available designs?” “Actually, you have to go on Instagram.” “What?” “All the designs are on Instagram.” “Are you telling me I can’t walk into my local bakery and order a cake?” “Well, if you have a picture or know what design you want, we can work with that.” “I don’t know,” I said. “I need ideas.” Awkward silence. I finally conceded that something wasn’t clicking here and I had to take an alternate tact. “What about the website? Is there a catalog on the website?” “Well, there’s a form there that you can fill out and someone will call you.” “But… I’m here. In person. I don’t need to fill out a form. I don’t need a call!” “I’m sorry.” I left angry and frustrated about a world that took a human experience—a purchase right at the point of sale—and turned it into yet another online commerce experience. OK. Have an Instagram page. Some people will want it. But don’t deny me the simple scenario of face-to-face bakery business: a soft, engaging discussion around my daughter’s due date, her preference for vanilla cake with raspberry filling, and the green and pink palette I envisioned. Did they have any cake toppers? A pram or bassinet or rattle? What types of frosting would they suggest? How big should the cake be for 26 guests? Well, I never went to Instagram. I’m online all day, every day for work and many other life tasks. I’m not going online to order a cake. Time to find a new bakery! Warmly, |
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| | The Screen Time Action Network is a collaborative community of practitioners, educators, advocates and parents working to reduce excessive and harmful screen use in childhood.
89 South St., Suite 403
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Get in touch! info@screentimenetwork.org |
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