Newsletter #01 Dec. 2025

Hello friends!

Welcome to the inaugural OR Unplugged newsletter! We are so happy to have you here.

We write to you from OR Unplugged headquarters (Kathy’s backyard in a nice squishy chair).

We would love to know - What concerns you about kids and screens? What support are you after? What areas of screen-use interest you? Do you have any events coming up you’d like for us to broadcast? Do you have a group (formal or informal) of like-minded peers? Did you find us through any of our partner organizations? If so, which ones? (We love all the orgs we partner with but are always curious)

The past year and a half here have been a dash to an ever-moving finish line (and we will never be quite done), but we now have a website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn (please feel free to follow us on any and all platforms), and as of today - a newsletter! We have been having conversations about typeface accessibility, what platforms people use, and how to reach YOU dear reader.

LOCAL UPDATE: Kathy spoke about reducing Ed Tech at the Beaverton School District School Board Meeting this past week (check out her testimony and resource links here) and reached a good handful of other BSD folks worried about Ed Tech. (if you haven’t read her Substack, First Fish Chronicles, it is a must read). Emily interviewed Jared Horvath recently on his new, fabulous book Digital Delusions: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids Learning-And How to Help Them Thrive Again. A MUST READ and MUST WATCH- webinar that really inspired Kathy (who recommends you also check out more videos by Jared).

Our monthly emails I am certain will become a little more streamlined with time but until then, we have a lot of resources to share that we are loving right now.

Firstly, we have an event coming up! And we are just as excited as you are! We are thrilled to be co-hosting a screening of Can’t Look Away at OMSI on Wednesday, January 21st at 5:30. It is free to attend and you can reserve your seat here.

Can’t Look Away is a gripping and deeply human story centered on the harms of social media and the intersections of resilience, courage, and the often hidden realities of what our screens can do. This special community screening offers an opportunity to experience the film together in a supportive environment - and to connect with others who care about healing, awareness and meaningful change.

Following the screening, a live moderated panel featuring experts, advocates, and community leaders will offer insights on online safety, emerging challenges, and the path forward. Our fabulous co-hosts are Senator Lisa Reynolds, AI expert John Cusey from the Institute for Families and Technology, Lines for Life, Oregon Community Foundation, Smartphone Free Childhood US, and OMSI.

Secondly, there’s a FREE webinar tomorrow evening with Let Grow that we are SO excited about. Join Lenore Skenazy, founder of Let Grow, and 3 parent guests to hear about what stepping back, letting go, and letting kids be kids can look like! The webinar is completely free, you just have to reserve your seat here. Can’t make it? No problem! Sign up at that link and you’ll receive a recording of the conversation after the fact. Check mate. EDIT 12/22 - if you missed the webinar and want to check out the recording, you can do so here!

Lastly, is the PA Unplugged gift guide. At the time of writing it is the (morning of the) third night of Hanukkah and Christmas looms ever closer. If you’ve got kiddos in your life and want to give the gift of something a little less screen-oriented, we highly recommend giving PA Unplugged’s gift guide a look. Beyond the guide, I personally also have to note that my favorite gifts growing up as a kid in the early to mid-2000s were these handmade coupons my Aunt Darryl would make for me that were good for an outing with her where we would go to a play, or to the ballet, but almost always to Johnny Rockets. It’s memorable, it’s homemade, it can be tailored to the child’s interests, and best of all - it’s face-to-face connection, no screens, no distractions.

Pretty cool stuff right?

We’ll sign off here but are so excited to be building a better future for Oregon’s kids with all of you. Thank you for being a part of a movement that changes our future for the better.

Comments, queries, or concerns? You can reach us 24/7 (practically) at ORUnplugged@proton.me

Warmly and with gratitude,

the OR Unplugged team

Kathy, Jody, Megan, & Simcha