ABOUT US
West Chester Unplugged is a grassroots organization powered by volunteers. We are WC based parents, caregivers, teachers and concerned community members who are ready to rethink and reshape our communities' culture around technology and screen use.
As an organization, we want to reduce the time kids (and grown ups) spend on screens both at home and at school, and replace it with free play, time outside and human connection. Our goal is not zero tech, it is intentional tech. We are committed to action oriented meetings, partnership with our local public schools, and a no shame, no blame approach, always.
Whether you attend one of our monthly meetings or an “unplug and play” at a local park, our goal is to help you find other families who share your commitment to a more tech intentional lifestyle. We have three major focus areas: home, school, and community.
Home
Technoference — the everyday interruption of human connection by a device — is something every one of us has experienced. We are here to support parents as they investigate their own relationship to screens, navigate screen time battles with their kids, and figure out what mindful tech looks like in their homes. We offer research-backed resources and educational opportunities to learn more about these issues and find your people.
School
We advocate for distraction-free schools to develop the whole child. We want to see an educational environment where children can develop fully — physically, socially, and intellectually — before they are handed a screen. We are proud to partner and collaborate with school leaders to build smarter, evidence-based technology policies that prioritize imagination, play, critical thinking, and deep learning.
Community
This is a collective action problem, and no one can do it alone. Any and every small change we achieve is thanks to parents who show up and speak out in small and big ways. We offer opportunities for connection, collaboration, and community building among like-minded families in West Chester and beyond.
We are not anti-technology.When used purposefully, technology can be a powerful tool. But too often, in our culture, both at home and in our schools, tech has become the default option rather than one of the many tools in our toolbox. Our smartphones and iPads are not neutral technologies. They have been built to dominate our attention and keep us looking at them at the expense of everything else.
We support our community within and beyond West Chester.We have a special focus on the West Chester Area School District, with WC Unplugged chapters at twelve of our seventeen schools. As our organization grows, we would love to have active chapters at local private and parochial schools.
We are a local affiliate group of PA Unplugged.WC Unplugged is a local affiliate group of PA Unplugged, a statewide coalition dedicated to restoring real-world connection by advocating for policies and cultural norms that prioritize people over technology.
OUR VALUES
- Face to face human interaction is a cornerstone of mental health.
- Delaying the use of smart devices is critical to ensuring healthy child development.
- Parents should be the architects of family culture, not big tech.
- Free play and childhood independence are critical for healthy kids.
- Our schools should be rich in human connection and free from distraction.