Dodgers Delay Newsletter

December 2025

WOW! We are so pleased with the community engagement at our Alternative Device Fair and Panel Discussion on Parenting in a Tech World. Special thanks to Lori Torell and the Cub Scouts, who led all of the youngsters in fun crafts and activities while the parents joined the discussion. Also, thanks to the 8 alternative device companies - Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel, Light Phone, Troomi, Gizmo watch, TinCan, and Cosmo- that shared their products for us to get our hands on and explore. It is so reassuring to know that there are devices that allow our children to communicate via text, phone call, etc. without having full access to smartphones. Thank you to all that attended.

Please share and continue to spread the word so that as a community we can DELAY together!

DELAY access to fully-loaded smartphones

DELAY access to social media

DELAY unfettered access to the internet

For more info, visit our new website www.dodgersdelay.com or email us at dodgersdelay@gmail.com.

The holidays are now upon us! We do not have any events planned, as we’ll be enjoying the hustle and bustle of the season with our friends and families. Instead, we encourage all to think mindfully about the gifts we are giving this year, in regard to tech. Below are some gift-guides, but we also consider family experiences and special time together as the greatest gift. And remember to steer away from AI companion toys (read the article below)!

Screen-free gift ideas can be found here. Screen Free Gift Guide 2025

If you do plan to buy tech gifts, consider the options listed here. Better Than A Smartphone: 17 Fun Devices for Music, Photos, Calls and More

And if you get new tech gifts, consider listening to this podcast from Parenting in a Tech World on how to set them up for safe, responsible use. New Devices, New Rules: How to Keep Your Kids Safer Online podcast by Parenting in a Tech World.

■ Thinking about letting your child enter the world of group chats? Read this article first: Hold Off On Group Chats Until Kids are Older

■ Tell Your Lawmakers: OPPOSE Federal Preemption of State AI Laws within the NDAA

■ Listen to this podcast: Is My Child Ready for a Smartphone? | Adam Pletter, PsyD

If your elementary child is still watching TV shows in class, during school day snack time, and you would like district policy to be enforced, please reach out to your child’s teacher and principal.

Please communicate your school tech use concerns with your child’s teachers and administrators. While we love hearing from you, it’s also important that the schools know the concerns of the parents.

“I struggle to think of good reasons to give my elementary and middle school aged kids smart phones... if we take a step back and consider what is actually best for our children, we need to return as much as possible to a play-based childhood.  Meaning go outside and play, unsupervised!  When you play unsupervised with friends, so many positive things happen. 

When you attend parades and children are too busy watching phones to watch the parade, that is a pretty clear indicator that things need to change.  Numerous times I have seen kids out with friends, but instead of conversing or interacting, they are consumed with their phones and don't even look at each other.  Delay the smartphones, eliminate the social media, and let our kids be kids!”

-Parent of elementary and MJS students

We’d love to hear from you! Please email us to share your story.

■ Take a drive to Livingston Circle and check out the fabulous Camuso Holiday Display. It will delight adults and children alike!

■ While waiting for the Rosedale rink to freeze, get in a few practice skates at the public skate sessions at Mennen Arena.

■ Family Photo Scavenger Hunt: Ho Ho Ho! at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown. They’ve hidden some holiday ornaments throughout the garden for your family to find. Stop in anytime this month from 10am-4pm.

Email us with your creative and fun ideas to share!

“Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Study Links Smartphone Ownership in Childhood to Increased Risk of Depression and Obesity in Youth”

-News Release from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, December 1, 2025

“Don’t Give Your Child Any AI Companions”

-After Babel article by Jon Haidt and Zach Rausch, November 24, 2025