Our Story
Inspired by a friend who had co-founded the UK's Smartphone-free Childhood movement, Amelia Haughey set up a WhatsApp group in the UAE to unite parents who felt smartphones and childhood did not mix.
Within weeks, she was joined by Samantha Bohnacker, Natalie Pietrobon, and Alison Burrows along with over two thousand parents across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Screenwise Child UAE is the result of that initial WhatsApp chat, and it is growing at a remarkable pace, currently represented in over 60 schools across the UAE. We provide support, networks and resources for parents who feel the use of tech within the childhood years should be meaningful, and the adoption of smartphones not considered an inevitable rite of passage.
Globally, there is considerable interest in the effects of smartphones, social media and excessive screen time on young people. Screenwise Child UAE hopes to consolidate this shared knowledge and work with schools and parents who wish to change the landscape of technology in childhood here in the UAE.
We hope you join us in this crucial conversation.
Dr. Jonathan Haidt
NYU Professor and author of The Anxious Generation
'We have overprotected our children in the real world while under-protecting them online...'
Our Founders
We are a group of UAE-based parents, often working alongside our day-jobs, bringing a diverse range of skills & passion to touch as many lives with Screenwise Child's essential mission.
Amelia Haughey
An executive leadership consultant, qualified lawyer and mother of four, Amelia founded Screenwise Child UAE inspired by her childhood friend, Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of the UK's Smartphone Free Childhood movement.
Samantha Bohnacker
A Chartered Surveyor and mum of two, Samantha joined Screenwise Child having taken the decision for her own children to go against the tide of “secondary school equals social media”. She firmly believes Screenwise Child has the ability to effect real change and offer families an alternative approach.
Dr. Alison Burrows
Alison is a professor in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Studies at Middlesex University Dubai. Her research considers meaningful learning with technology for children and examines the impact of screen time on the developing child.
Sign up for the latest news
Sign up to receive links to the latest research & news on actions schools are taking across the UAE.