Who is Phreedom Foundation and what should we know about you?
I am a mother, pediatric endocrinologist, and digital wellness coach in Franklin, TN. My exploration of Digital Wellness began in 2014, when unusual personal and professional observations led me to question the relationship that I saw forming between humans and technology – a deep, passionate, intimate, co-dependent relationship.
I realized that there was something questionable about our newfound love affair with a piece of metal (smart device) which we insisted on always keeping on us. Surprisingly, even though we had the means to be more “connected” than ever before, we were feeling more and more “disconnected”.
I started an in-depth study of the medical literature, devouring over 600 research articles on the subject, and more than 300 online blogs. Soon, I launched a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization named Phreedom Foundation (Ungrip Devices. Grip Life) [Phreedom = Phone Freedom].
The mission of the foundation is to empower lives, one family and one screen at a time. The foundation is about more than just reducing screen time; it’s about reclaiming a life of purpose, forging authentic connections, and nurturing the bonds that truly matter.
Here is my TEDx talk on digital addiction.
Are there new markets or demographics you are targeting?
Whenever the term screen time comes up in conversations, there is little doubt as to who would be the subject of that discussion: teenagers and young adults. However, the idea of Phreedom Foundation is broad, and there are many differences (and similarities) in how I approach it with children vs. adults.
When parents model healthy habits – like eating well and exercising daily – kids naturally follow suit. The same goes for Digital Wellness. I started off studying children’s screen time, but quickly realized that adults need help too. Adults struggling with digital wellness are inadvertently passing these habits on to their kids.
Drawing upon the WHO’s characterization of burnout and our own research findings, I emphasize the detrimental impact of excessive smart device use on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of professionals. Through our seminars, by shedding light on this issue, we aim to equip attendees with practical strategies to achieve a healthier life-work-tech balance.
What’s the biggest goal for your business in 2024?
The goal of Phreedom Foundation is to spark an open dialogue about digital wellness and screen addiction in all ages and communities, in schools and businesses, and in parents, couples, professionals, and grandparents.
Our goals:
- Restore the beauty of human connection over digital connections.
- Reclaim time and attention.
- Educate families about the impact of early and prolonged exposure to internet on a child’s development.
- Empower teenagers and young adults to interact safely online, while nurturing their mental health in the offline world.
- Restore the joy of relationships by fostering media-free family time.
- Boost productivity and efficiency in workspace by minimizing digital distractions.
- Encourage people to assess their relationship with their smartphones, video games, and other smart devices. Heal this relationship and discover the magic of Life-Technology Balance.
How do you stay involved in the community?
We organize seminars, webinars, workshops, retreats, and unplugged dining events. We teach digital wellness at schools, colleges, parent nights, businesses, mental health conferences, corporate events, and community education programs, online and in workshops all around the world.
