Childhood Reclaimed: Embrace Digital Minimalism to Unplug and Thrive

In today’s digital age, children spend more time on screens than ever before, leaving little room for imagination, outdoor play, and face-to-face interactions. How can we reclaim childhood and ensure that kids develop in a way that nurtures creativity, social skills, and emotional resilience? In this thought-provoking keynote, author and speaker Katherine Martinko will explore many of the issues associated with excessive screen time, offering the philosophy of digital minimalism as a way to transform how families engage with technology. By limiting screens at home, we can help children rediscover the joys of a screen-free childhood—and reduce parental stress, too. This evening will provide practical tools for parents, educators, and caregivers to reduce digital distractions and encourage real-world connections. Join us in cultivating a more balanced lifestyle for the next generation.

About Katherine Martinko

Katherine Martinko is the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance (2023). As an award-winning public speaker, Katherine has delivered presentations across Canada and the U.S. on how to foster “digital minimalist” parenting. Her approach empowers families to see technology as a tool rather than a toy, encouraging a more creative and play-filled childhood.

Katherine is a speaker on behalf of The Anxious Generation (Jonathan Haidt). She contributes regularly to the Globe and Mail, writes a growing Substack newsletter titled The Analog Family, and appears on national radio, TV, and podcasts. A former senior editor at Dotdash Meredith, her editorial experience spans notable brands such as Martha Stewart, Allrecipes, Angi, Treehugger, and Discovery Network.

About CHI St Joseph Children's Health

Our commitment to the health and well-being of the Lancaster Community began with the arrivals of Sr. Eusebis Scheivert and Sr. Genevieve Wolpert in 1883. These two inspirational women religious from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia arrived with a clear mission to care for the sick and vulnerable in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Arriving with $2.58, two apples and their strong faith, the Sisters founded the first hospital in Lancaster County – St. Joseph Hospital. Never shying away from doing what is difficult, the legacy and passion of the Sisters and their journey to improve the health of our local community continues to fuel the work and the direction of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health.

The embodiment of Catholic Health Initiatives commitment to the creation of healthy communities across the United States of America, CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health formed as the result of the sale of St. Joseph Hospital and is the next incarnation of the Sisters’ mission to constantly evolve, never resting in their pursuit to improve the health of the Lancaster Community.

Today, the work and programs of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health embodies the next steps in community health. Our programs and services positively impact the health of children and families by deploying a host of tactics and strategies. Each of our programs and services strive to bring health care and the concept of health into the community and to bring the same out from within the walls of hospitals and physician offices.

Listening to and working in partnership with individuals and organizations in the local community, we strive to develop and to facilitate the creation of community-based programming and services – both clinical and psychosocial in nature – that keenly focus on cultivating healthier behaviors, eliminating barriers to improved health, preventing illness and fostering opportunity for children and families throughout the Lancaster Community.

For more information about the programs, services and schools of CHI St. Joseph Children's Health please visit: www.stjosephchildrenshealth.org

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