This week on The Aro Podcast, Joey sits down with Erin Loechner, founder of the global tech-free movement The Opt-Out Family. Erin shares her personal journey from being a social media influencer to embracing a low-tech lifestyle, which inspired her new book, The Opt-Out Family. They discuss the Loechner family's motto, "be more engaging than the algorithm," and what it means to be an opt-out family—a household that intentionally minimizes technology use based on evidence of its developmental harms. Erin offers practical advice for parents on discussing the opt-out lifestyle with other families and stresses the importance of doing it together. She and Joey explore what we can provide our kids that technology can't, the impact of algorithms on our behavior, and the five critical areas where technology is most detrimental. They clarify that opting out isn’t about being anti-tech, but about being pro-living. The episode wraps up with Erin's tips on how to simplify and depersonalize your smartphone, along with a message for those considering the opt-out lifestyle.



Learn more about The Opt-Out Family: Website | Buy the Book

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The Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.