Healthy Tech Kids

Dear Parents of 7th Grade Girls,

Research has shown that excessive screen time, particularly on smartphones, can have adverse effects on our daughters' physical health, mental well-being, and social development. From disrupted sleep patterns to increased anxiety and decreased face-to-face interactions, the impacts of prolonged smartphone use are multifaceted and far-reaching. As parents, we would love to stop the trend towards ubiquitous smartphone use and near-constant screen time. However, we know the challenges inherent in doing so.

Hence, we are thrilled to introduce "The Club". As mothers who firmly believe in our daughters' resilience and capability to defy the prevailing norms of teenage smartphone ownership and social media reliance, we have initiated this entirely parent-led endeavor.

"The Club" is a completely parent-run initiative that incentivizes our girls to unplug. Through rewards such as trips, giveaways and positive encouragement, girls will have the social support to go "smartphone-free."

We invite you to consider encouraging your daughters to participate in this trailblazing initiative, in which the girls commit to not owning a smartphone with a sim card and no social media accounts for a year (May 2, 2024 – May 2, 2025).

• We will explain the concept of The Club through this presentation [link to your presentation] with the girls at our launch today and encourage you to review it to fully understand the thought process and how the program works.
• Once you know your daughter is ready to commit to joining The Club, please click here [link to your parent form] to access the online form for parents.
• We will host an informational Zoom this coming Monday, April 15, at 8 PM, and we would love for you to join us as we explain the program briefly and answer any questions you may have. Click here to join the Zoom Meeting [your Zoom link, Meeting ID & Passcode].

We look forward to partnering with you to facilitate the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual health and well-being of our precious daughters!

Rivkah Bloom & Esti Chazanow [your names]

Dear 7th Grade Parents,

BH, the "Unplug to Recharge" initiative is off to a tremendous start! On Friday, we gave a presentation to the 7th-grade girls. They had the opportunity to express their perspectives on smartphones and social media and how these technologies influence their relationships and mental well-being. Their understanding of the purpose of the launching of this initiative and excitement about the trips and giveaways was evident as many girls turned in their signed agreements following the presentation. (Many of the girls who submitted these contracts are giving up social media to join.)

Please join us tonight at 8:00 PM so that we can present "The Club"! How can your daughter join The Club? What are the perks of being in The Club? How can you support your daughter in this endeavor?

Click here to join the Zoom Meeting [your Zoom link, Meeting ID & Passcode].

As a reminder: Once you know your daughter is ready to commit to joining The Club, please click here [link to your parent form] to complete the online form for parents.

Looking forward to partnering with you to facilitate the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual health and well-being of our precious daughters!

Rivkah Bloom & Esti Chazanow [your names]

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If you missed the first email sent out on Friday, here is a recap: [paste the full text of Email 1 below this line]

Dear Parents of 7th Grade Girls,

B"H we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the "Unplug to Recharge" initiative with so many parents and students signing up!

Just a reminder that today is the deadline to join.

Parents: If you have not yet done so, please click here [link to your parent form] to access the online form for parents.

Students: If any student is not in school today, please print this form, sign it, and send it to [your organizer email].

BOTH a parent and the student need to sign the commitments to be part of "The Club".

Alternate Phone options:
Many parents asked for alternatives to smartphones for their girls. Here is a list [link or attach your non-smartphone options list] of some possible phone options as well as the TAG office information.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead,

Rivkah Bloom & Esti Chazanow [your names]

Dear 8th Grade Parents,

We are so grateful to be concluding the first incredible year of The Club! What began as a bold initiative in 7th grade has blossomed into a true movement – and we're thrilled to announce that The Club will be continuing into high school!

We are beyond proud that more than half the grade made it through the year without a smartphone or social media. Their strength, maturity, and commitment have been truly inspiring.

Today, we are presenting The Club – Year 2. We'll revisit the "why" behind the initiative, talk about the power of staying unplugged, and get them excited about this year's rewards, challenges, and community.
🎥 You can view the presentation here [link to your Year 2 presentation]

As we enter Year 2 of this journey, we warmly invite everyone to join – even if your daughter didn't participate in Year 1. It's never too late to unplug to recharge.

Year 2 will include continued encouragement, fun incentives, and a major highlight:
🎉 A grand trip to North Carolina for all Year 2 members in May 2026! 🎉

If you'd like your daughter to join The Club this year, please complete the Parent Commitment Form [link to your form] here. If you have any questions or want to connect, we're here for you.

Let's continue working together to support the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being of our precious daughters. We'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to either of us with any feedback or suggestions on how we can make The Club: Year 2 even stronger. If you have ideas or would like to get involved, we're all ears!

If you feel your daughter would benefit from having a non-smartphone, we've put together a helpful list of recommended options. Some phones don't require any filters, while others may need to be TAGGED by the TAG office. You can view the list here: Non-Smartphone Options [link or see the Resources tab]

South Florida TAG Contact Info:
561-614-4686
info@tagsouthflorida.org
tagsouthflorida.org

With excitement for what's ahead,

Rivkah Bloom & Esti Chazanow [your names]

Dear 8th grade parents,

We hope you had an amazing Pesach.

"The Club" 2025-2026 commitment forms are due next week, May 2. The Club participants will enjoy a grand trip to North Carolina next year to enjoy white water rafting, high ropes, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and Paramount Carowinds, home of the Fury 325, North America's fastest and tallest giga coaster.

If you'd like your daughter to join The Club this year, please complete the Parent Commitment Form here: [link to your form]

We warmly invite everyone to join – even if your daughter didn't participate in Year 1. It's never too late to unplug to recharge.

Looking forward to a wonderful and fulfilling year,

Rivkah Bloom and Esti Chazanow [your names]

P.S. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Dear students and parents of rising 10th graders,

As we begin the third year of The Club, we are excited to welcome you at a stage in life where both personal growth and technology are rapidly evolving. This year we are building on our experience while recognizing that our girls are maturing and facing new challenges in an increasingly complex digital world. Our goal remains to guide them toward a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology while supporting their independence and development.

Members will have the opportunity to participate in a trip during the year, building connections and shared experience as a group. As a culminating incentive, all members who fully meet their commitment from May 22, 2026 to May 22, 2027 will earn a group trip to North Carolina at the end of the year.

We would love your daughter to join us on this journey, whether or not she has participated in The Club in previous years. Please review the important updates and changes below.

Our Mission
The Club was founded to help our students reclaim their time, their focus, and their peace of mind. While technology is a powerful tool, the current "always-on" culture of smartphones has created significant challenges that we are committed to addressing together:

• Increased Anxiety & FOMO: The pressure to be constantly available in group chats creates a persistent "fear of missing out."
• Erosion of Concentration: Constant digital pings fragment the attention span, making "deep focus" increasingly difficult.
• Declining Mental Health: Excessive screen time, especially social media, is closely linked to higher rates of social comparison and decreased self-esteem.
• Sleep Deprivation: Late-night notifications and blue light disrupt natural sleep cycles, leading to chronic fatigue.
• Digital Addiction: The "dopamine loop" of notifications creates a dependency that makes it hard to simply "be present."
• Social Displacement: Digital interaction often replaces the physical movement and face-to-face skills vital for healthy development.
• Unfiltered Access: Many personal devices are private gateways to inappropriate and detrimental content.

The Club's mission is to redefine our relationship with technology. We aim to transform the mobile phone from a source of distraction into a high-functioning tool for communication and connection. To support our members, we offer two approved pathways for device management.

Note on Consistency: To maintain a unified environment, no other phones or custom arrangements are permitted (including "family" or "sibling" phones). The Club requires a standardized platform to ensure consistency across our entire membership.

Option 1: Minimalist Phones — "More Here. Less Elsewhere."
This selection is designed for those who want to eliminate "digital noise" at the source. Unlike smartphones, these devices are physically designed to be un-addictive. They are precision tools for communication that allow for a life lived entirely in the present. Some of these have touch screen typing. For our drivers, many of these phones include Waze.

• Fig Phone (figkosher.com) — includes touchscreen, full keyboard, and Waze
• Sunbeam (sunbeamwireless.com) — includes touchscreen, full keyboard, and Waze
• Pom (pomkosher.com)
• The Light Phone (thelightphone.com) — includes directions
• Punkt MP02 (punkt.ch)
• Kasher ViYasher Flip / KV-Qin Pro (koshervy.com)
• No Phone

Option 2: The Managed iPhone (kPhone)
For families who require the specific hardware and look of an Apple device, we offer the kPhone configuration. While permitted, this option carries a higher risk of "digital pull" because the hardware is still designed for high-engagement use.

kPhone uses Apple's device management system and does not slow the phone down, eavesdrop on conversations, or access private content — it controls the iPhone's functions. It does not interfere with iOS Screen Time, which parents can use as an extra layer of protection. kPhone support: 833-856-7437 / support@kphone.org, open 24/6.

• Requirement: a member-provided iPhone (preparation instructions attached)
• Installation: the school office installs the kPhone software using Apple's device management protocols
• Approved apps: Phone (FaceTime), iMessage, Siddur, Weather, Maps, Uber, Calendar, Settings, Camera, Photos, Clock, 24Six, Calculator, Life360, Notes — all other apps are not allowed
• Cost: $10 installation + $10/month, paid by parents (prices subject to change)
• To choose this option: sign up at kphone.org/signup (choose your school), prepare the iPhone, and bring it to the school office for installation

WhatsApp: Important Update
WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging tool into a full-scale social media platform. Features like Status, Channels, and the upcoming integration of paid advertising create a source of digital distraction that pulls many users into hours of passive scrolling. Because our core mission is to protect the integrity of your focus and ensure a distraction-minimal environment, we are updating our policy: The Club will no longer allow personal WhatsApp accounts. All member communication, whether 1:1 or in groups, can take place over Messages, free from the social media features that undermine our goals.

Prohibited platforms: No other social media accounts or apps are permitted on any device (including phones, tablets, computers, or smartwatches) — including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, Pinterest, BeReal, Discord, and WhatsApp.

FAQs
Q: Can I join if I had a smartphone/social media? A: Yes! The Club is a one-year commitment and anyone can join regardless of the past.
Q: How long is the commitment? A: One year, May 2026 – May 2027.
Q: How do I join? [Parent form link] · [Student form link]
Q: More questions? Join our Zoom information session [date, time, link].

Our goal is to help students foster self-regulation, focus, and genuine happiness. We believe this initiative will help our students create deep, meaningful relationships and develop a positive sense of self outside the confines of technology.

Please discuss the pros and cons of each of the phone options and choose the phone which works best for your family. We look forward to having your daughter join us,

Rivkah Bloom and Esti Chazanow [your names]

Dear Parents,

Please see the following forms to sign up for The Club:

Students: [your student sign-up form link]
Parents: [your parent sign-up form link]