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Digital mastery means more than being able to tap around on a screen and make a device respond. Digital mastery is the skillset required to achieve Pinwheel's vision. That vision is a future in which human beings are the masters of technology, not captive to it. 

The book "Hold Onto Your Kids" by Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate, contains so much wisdom about why parents are of such vital importance to kids. The book explains all that is lost when children learn about life primarily from other kids. Peer-orientation and parental attachment are so important to understand. As a parent, it took my breath away.

We got our dog a few years ago on Halloween. Named her Pumpkin. My daughter was 6-years-old, and immediately fell in love. I think that Pumpkin, our shelter mutt, is half German shepherd and half Muppet. She's a goofy, big dog.

Working from home while raising kids during a pandemic is challenging. Stop right here to take a breathe; you earned that and much more. The balance of parenting and working is hard to strike, but I'll always cling to the message that journalist Jennifer Griffin told me almost a decade ago.

My favorite memories growing up were the ones where I was learning about nature. A couple days out of the week, Mama would take my siblings and I out on hiking trails or on walks in the park. We had a thing for venturing off the beaten path, making our way through the trees and little bits of open field to find all kinds of plants, rocks, and animals. Looking back on my childhood, I remember more joy and peace in those moments of soaking up nature than the memories spent indoors on my phone

"When should I get my child a phone? At what age? "

Most of the answers you receive will tell you to wait as long as possible, until around 12 or 13. That's not a solution. Here’s why I say, “phone by 5th,” as long as it’s a healthy kids phone.

Teachers rely more and more on technology to support their students' growth. While smartphones offer a lot of great apps and sources of information, a typical device actively attempts to divert young minds into gaming or YouTube rabbit holes. 

But with Pinwheel, your child can enjoy all of the support, with none of the distractions.

"I sent 36,000 texts the first month I had a “REAL” phone"

It was the summer of 2009, I had mowed many lawns and had done odd jobs to pay for two specific things I had worked towards all summer. At the age of 14, I wanted nothing more than an excellent music collection and a cell phone with which to text and call friends.

Curious about the apps found on a Pinwheel phone? Take a look at some fun features found within Pinwheel apps below!

Dr. Mike Brooks from our therapist council shared this journal article with us recently: “The impact of digital technology use on adolescent well-being.” It’s a 2020 “study of studies” on adolescents, technology, and well-being. We read it so you don't have to and pulled out what we felt were the key points!