In Episode 187, Daniel and Christina chat with Erin Loechner—once a social media influencer with over a million followers—who made the radical choice to step away from the digital spotlight and embrace a low-tech lifestyle. Erin reflects on the impact of social media on her mental health, identity, and parenting, sharing how the constant pressure to stay “connected” was eroding what mattered most. In this conversation, she offers practical tips for reducing tech dependence, from simplifying devices to creating meaningful offline moments with loved ones, all while reminding us that true connection thrives in real life, not on screens.

In This Episode, You'll Hear About The Following:

• The impact of social media on mental health and personal relationships.
• The decision to opt out of social media for family well-being.
• The evolution of social media from sharing to attention-seeking platforms.
• Experiences and benefits of living without social media.
• The importance of community and real-life connections.
• Practical steps for families to create a healthier relationship with technology.
• The role of parental controls and intentional tech use.
• The dangers of social media algorithms, especially for young users.
• The significance of authentic relationships over digital interactions.
• Encouragement for families to reflect on their technology use and its implications.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Pick up a copy of Erin's latest book, The Opt-Out Family: How To Give Your Kids What Technology Can't
• Read Erin's first book, Chasing Slow: Courage To Journey Off The Beaten Path
• Erin's Website
• Listen to our other episodes about raising kids in this tech era: 
• Parenting In Our Digital Age
• Unplugging for Connection: How To Break The Distracted Parenting Cycle
• Netiquette: Teaching Our Kids Online Manners
• Breaking Up With Our Phones

Meet Erin Loechner:

Founder of global tech-free movement The Opt-Out Family, Erin Loechner is a former social media influencer who walked away from a million fans to live a low-tech lifestyle—and is now teaching others how to do the same. Her cutting-edge work has been praised in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Huffington Post, and the Today Show. When she’s not scrawling on her trusty steno pad, Erin, her husband, and their three kids spend their days chasing alpenglow, reading Kipling, and biking to town for more tortillas.

For the full show notes, including discussion prompts for you as a couple, go to: IMbetween.org/episode187

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