Unplugged Canada NS

10/30/2026

We did it! 🎉 500 pledges in Nova Scotia!

A little while ago, we shared our goal of reaching 500 pledges in NS. Today, we get to celebrate making it happen!

And here’s what makes the milestone even more exciting for Unplugged NS: we are seeing pledges grow at more schools across the province. That means we are not just growing in numbers - we are growing in schools, in communities, and in the number of families choosing to do things differently.

Every pledge represents a family making an intentional choice to delay smartphones for their kids. And every new school community that gets involved makes it a little easier for the next families to do the same.

To every parent who signed, shared our message, championed our cause, started a conversation, or helped spread the word: thank you. You are a part of making this happen.

500 is a big milestone, but it’s also an exciting reminder that our movement is growing! Thank you!

10/19/2026

Join Unplugged Canada NS for a FREE screening of “Your Attention Please” on December 3, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the White Spruce Room at Keshen Goodman Library.

Parents, caregivers and educators are invited to watch this thought-provoking documentary about the impact of technology on our attention and come together for a discussion on how we navigate this with youth in our own community.

Registration is required. Sign up at the link in our bio.

09/24/2026

We wanted to take a moment to shout out to the Town Of Kentville for taking the initiative to create a “third space” for local youth (see below poster). In his book The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt discusses the need for a third space (aside from home and school) so that youth can embrace real-world connection, independence, and play - getting away from a “phone based childhood”.

This community based initiative is a small but mighty way to create better mental health for the younger generation. Well done, Town of Kentville!

Introducing Youth Unplugged! An exciting program birthed out of one of the brilliant minds that submitted to Activating Champions. Are you looking for somewhere to hang out, create, play games and chill?

Join us Monday nights at the Rec Room (350 Main Street) for Youth Drop-In Night! 6:00 - 9:00 PM. This is a free program, where youth can have fun engaging in:

-Crafts & creative activities
-Games & challenges
-Music
-Puzzles
-Hang out with friends
-New activities every week

Join us on October 19th for 8 weeks!

09/12/2026

A conversation parents should be paying attention to.

The Canadian Medical Association is hosting a virtual town hall this Monday, September 14, on protecting children from online harms.

The conversation comes at an important time, as Bill C-34 - the Safe Social Media Act - is being considered in Parliament. The proposed legislation would introduce new safeguards for major tech companies and AI chatbot services.

The discussion will bring together physicians and experts in cybersecurity law to explore the scope of Bill C-34, key policy questions that still need to be addressed - and how you can help.

At Unplugged Canada, we spend a lot of time talking about what we can do as parents to delay smartphones and create healthier boundaries around technology.
But there is another important part of this conversation:
What responsibility should the platforms themselves have for protecting children?

We think parents should be informed and engaged in that conversation, too.

Register through the link in our bio.

NovaScotiaParents

09/11/2026

Have you registered yet? The Unplugged Canada x Alison Yeung, MD | Family Medicine 🇨🇦 webinar is coming soon!

📆 September 16, 2026
⏰ 7:30-9:00 PM ET | 8:30-10:00 AST
Online (Zoom)

💭Know a caregiver or educator who’d want to be there too? Tag them below or share this post.

🔗 Register now - link in bio or head to unpluggedcanada.com.

07/01/2026

For too long we’ve been told, “Parents just need to parent.”

Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health - the country’s senior public health doctors, each responsible for the health of their province or territory - disagree.

Their new position statement recognizes what many people have been saying for years: digital platforms are designed to capture children’s attention, and parents cannot be expected to shoulder that burden alone.

This isn’t just a parenting issue. It’s a public health issue.
We need safer technology. Stronger protections. Shared responsibility.

Because children deserve protection from a digital environment they were never meant to grow up inside.

06/23/2026

We are so close.

470 families across Nova Scotia have signed the unplugged pledge – and now we are pushing for 500 before the summer break starts.

That’s just 30 more parents saying:

📱 No smartphones (or social media) before 14.
👧 Protect childhood. Delay the pressure.

This week, talk about it where parents gather:
🍔 At the family barbecue.
🔥 At neighbourhood bonfires.
💃At the year-end dance
⚽️At the soccer field.
🩱At the community pool.
🎓At middle school graduations
🎈At birthday parties.
👯‍♀️At dance recitals.

Forward this post to another parent. Send it to the grandparents you know, too.
Because every conversation matters. If every parent who signed found just ONE more parent, we wouldn’t stop at 500. We’d continue to build this movement.

Add your name. Share the pledge. Help protect childhood in Nova Scotia.

06/18/2026

We wanted to share this post from Jess | Toxicologist & mom | Non-toxic living because it’s single, stand-alone message should be all you need to know.

There is so much discourse online about the risks and benefits of technology, and with the news recently here in Canada about bill C-34, there are conversations occurring about whether it’s really okay to take tech out of the hands of kids and if we really need legislation for it.
But let’s be honest: where are the benefits of allowing youth to use smartphones?
The bottom line is, there are none. There is no scientific evidence to support their use among youth.

So why are parents still allowing their children to have smartphones?

This is something to think about. If you’re a parent who hasn’t considered it much before, or you’re on the fence now about where you stand, it’s never too late to change your mind. Visit our website to learn more: www.unpluggedcanada.com

06/15/2026

Congratulations, Canada! We have officially hit 10,000 pledges!

Thousands of families across the country are saying “no” to smartphones for their children. This creates a brighter future for thousands of kids by safeguarding their mental health, social development, and ability to learn without constant distraction.

The tide is changing. Have you signed the pledge yet? Join us in delaying smartphones and get connected with other likeminded families in your community.

In case you missed it, our website features live dashboards! You can see real-time data on how many pledges have been signed in each grade at your child’s school. This gives you immediate insight into how many other families have joined this initiative so far. Our newly redesigned website also features tons of resources including talking points and handouts to spur the conversation in your community. Check it out today! www.unpluggedcanada.com

06/11/2026

This week has been an important step forward for children’s safety in digital spaces.

The inclusion of a social media age minimum of 16 in the upcoming digital safety bill reflects years of work from parents, educators, health professionals, and child advocates all across Canada.

There is still work ahead, but one thing is certain: Canada is ready for change. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure strong protections for children online and meaningful accountability for tech companies.

This is progress. Now let’s keep going.💪