I keep talking to my older kid (pre teen) about the harmful effects of phones and screens. Kid seems to get it(for now) But the real test is yet to come - middle and high school where most kids have a phone. I am hoping that my kids will be ok being mavericks. I realize that hope is not a plan but the reality is that my environment is against me so there isnt a sure fire way to protect children unless you are ok with sheltering them to a point where it eventually becomes debilitating for them to operate in the real world.

To the OP: people typically have a herd mentality. HN is no different in that way. All you can do is try to instill trust between you and your kids and hope they will listen to you. You should also be super transparent with them about why you take the position you take. Give examples of people’s addiction to their screen/social media and how it’s distorts their view of reality to only make them feel bad about their existence. I am sure you can find a few in your own extended family or surroundings. Generally speaking , going against the grain takes a high degree of belief in something. Overcoming one’s minds transient desires requires strong intellect. That can be developed but it’s not an overnight thing and it’s certainly extremely hard when most People barely have any time to themselves or their kids - at least in USA (where real wages have been stagnant for 30+ years but cost of living has not[1]. The US deserves the birth rate decline it’s facing. It’s going to be a while before free markets and capitalism can evolve to solve this one)

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/08/07/for-most-...