Jenny Perez

Thank you for being here! I'm Jenny, a mother and entrepreneur passionate about the effects of online technologies on children's minds.

For over a decade, I've studied how they influence healthy development — and want to ensure that technology introduced to children enhances rather than harms their childhood.

Inspired by the Wait Until 8th movement, I created Unplugged to support Canadian families in delaying smartphones and social media as we work to shift the current norm.

Our approach is guided by Jonathan Haidt's four evidence-based principles: Keeping kids smartphone-free until high school, delaying social media until 16, creating phone-free school environments, and promoting free play and independence.

I want our children to live full lives and to be mentally, socially, and emotionally resilient — and well-equipped to navigate today's digital world.

Doing things differently is possible. I know if we do it together as a community, it will be even easier.