When Screens Go Silent: Why Tech Fasts Might Be the Best Christmas Gift

What would your kids do if, tomorrow, their favorite apps disappeared?

That’s not a hypothetical question for families in Australia this week. On December 10th, the government began enforcing strict age restrictions for social media, requiring platforms to eject users under 16 or face massive fines. That means kids are being removed from TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and more, just as their school year ends and an eight-week summer vacation begins.

For some, it’s a welcome break. For others, it’s a crisis. And for all of us watching from afar, it’s a window into a question we’ve all considered: What happens when we take tech away?

Here at Celebrate Kids, we’ve walked with hundreds of families navigating digital boundaries. And whether you're a parent considering a tech-free Christmas or a weekend screen fast, one thing is clear: abrupt change, especially around something as addictive as tech, stirs up big emotions. And that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it may mean you’re doing something right.

Let’s be honest—this won’t be easy.

If your home is anything like mine, tech isn’t just a luxury, it’s part of the rhythm. Phones help us coordinate schedules, give rides, check on friends, and fill in those awkward quiet moments. Kids rely on them not just for fun but for friendship. Cutting screens feels like cutting connection.

But here’s the truth: real connection grows best without constant interference.

Studies, and real-life experience, tell us that kids are struggling to read body language, navigate disagreements, and express empathy, all essential people skills that screens simply can’t teach. When kids spend more time swiping than speaking, they don’t just lose time, they lose formation.

Tech fasts give that back. They restore room for rhythm, family traditions, spontaneous joy, and rich conversations. But like any detox, the withdrawal can get loud before it gets peaceful. That’s not a parenting failure. That’s a human response to false comfort being exposed.

So how do we do this well?

We don’t rip the Band-Aid off without warning. We prepare our kids. We respect them enough to say, “Here’s what’s coming. And here’s why.”

We talk about design, what screens are for and what we’re for. We ask them what they think will be hard. We invite them into the conversation. And when they suggest, “Well, Dad, maybe you should put your phone away too,” we listen.

We remind them of this: We love you too much to let your phone shape your future.

As Dr. Kathy Koch says, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Being old enough to have a phone doesn’t mean being ready to use it wisely. That’s why Australia drew a line. But as parents, our lines must be led by purpose, not policy.

Whether you’re 13 or 30, bad habits on screens don’t age out. But they can be broken with intentionality. And character, real, rooted, relational character, is formed in those moments of discomfort where connection wins over convenience.

Engage the 8 Great Smarts During a Tech Fast:

Word Smart – Invite your kids to write short notes or letters to relatives instead of texting. Help them create a holiday family newsletter or even a “tech fast journal.”

Logic Smart – Challenge them to track how their mood and energy change without screens. Let them graph it out or run a family experiment: “Do we sleep better tech-free?”

Picture Smart – Encourage drawing, photography, or building something creative without tech tools. Create an art gallery wall from their work.

Music Smart – Start a tech-free playlist together. Use instruments, sing around the house, or play “name that tune” from memory.

Body Smart – Fill the tech time with board games, sledding, fort-building, or baking. Get moving and laughing together!

Nature Smart – Go for a winter walk or stargazing session. Observe the world around you without distractions.

People Smart – Talk through the change with empathy. Role-play responses to “I’m bored!” and talk about how to engage others well during break.

Self Smart – Give them space to reflect on what they miss and what they gain from the tech fast. Let them name what matters most to them.