About Port Stephens Unplugged
A grassroots community movement, born in Nelson Bay, built to grow nationally.
What we are
Port Stephens Unplugged is a not-for-profit community movement started by parents, supported by local psychologists and educators, with one simple goal: protecting primary-school children from the harms of early smartphone exposure.
We are not anti-technology. We believe in connection, creativity and childhood. We just believe those things are better experienced without a supercomputer in every 10-year-old’s pocket.
Our approach is community-led: when families make the same choice together, no child feels singled out, and parents have each other for support when the pressure builds.
Our Values
-
Warmth over alarm
We lead with hope and possibility, not fear. -
Community first
Parents need each other. Doing this together is what makes it work. -
Evidence-based
Everything we do is grounded in research on child development and screen time.
Part of something bigger
We are part of the global Smartphone Free Childhood movement — a network of parents, educators and advocates working to protect kids in communities around the world.
Smartphone Free Childhood
The global parent-led movement our chapter is part of. Millions of families worldwide.
Learn moreWait Mate
Australia’s national pledge to wait until the end of primary school for a smartphone. This is where our pledges are held.
Sign the pledgeStart in Your Area
Want to bring Unplugged to Newcastle, Sydney or beyond? We’d love to hear from you.
See regions