Time to Stop the Scroll for More Soul

It’s no secret that smartphones have woven themselves into the very fabric of our daily lives. For adults, they’ve become indispensable tools for work, social connection, and entertainment. But what about kids? As more children are handed smartphones at younger and younger ages, we have to ask: What are the long-term effects, and are we ready to face the answers?

A recent article from Boston Magazine sheds light on the increasing presence of smartphones in children's lives, and the findings are pretty alarming. Kids are spending more time glued to screens than ever before, and while smartphones can be convenient for keeping them occupied or connected to friends, they might be stealing something much more valuable—their ability to engage with the real world around them.

The Problem with the Scroll

At Mentmii, we believe in fostering real, meaningful connections, and the truth is that smartphones often get in the way. Studies show that excessive screen time is linked to a range of negative effects on kids' physical and mental health, from sleep disruption to increased feelings of isolation and anxiety. And yet, many parents find themselves at a loss for how to curb the habit.

It’s easy to hand over a phone or tablet to keep kids entertained for a few hours. But what happens when those hours turn into days, weeks, and eventually years of their childhoods spent scrolling? The risks extend far beyond temporary distractions. Research highlighted in the article shows that the overuse of smartphones during childhood can interfere with critical cognitive and social development, putting kids at a disadvantage when it comes to building real-world relationships and problem-solving skills.

Why We Need More Soul, Less Scroll

That’s where Mentmii comes in. We’re passionate about helping kids stop the scroll for more soul. What does that mean? It means encouraging them to step away from screens and engage in activities that enrich their lives—sports, arts, STEM projects, and real-world mentorships with older peers who can guide them toward more meaningful experiences.

Smartphones aren’t going away anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean they need to dominate our children’s lives. Instead, we can give them the tools to use technology responsibly, without sacrificing their ability to be present and connected in the real world.

Here’s how Mentmii is doing just that:

Fostering Real Connections: Our platform pairs high school mentors with grade school kids to provide in-person coaching in everything from sports to music to coding. These real-world interactions help kids develop social skills, confidence, and resilience.

Building Local Communities: We’re all about building strong local networks. When kids learn from and look up to mentors in their own communities, it strengthens their sense of belonging and identity. Mentorship offers them something a screen never will—a trusted role model.

Encouraging Skill-Share Activities: Instead of losing hours to mindless scrolling, kids who join Mentmii get the chance to sharpen their skills, learn new hobbies, and discover what truly excites them. Whether it’s mastering the clarinet or learning how to code, these experiences create lasting memories that go beyond the digital.

Rethinking Screen Time

So, how do we move forward? It’s not about banning smartphones or becoming tech-averse. It’s about finding balance. As parents, mentors, and educators, it’s up to us to guide kids toward healthier, more enriching use of their time. Instead of letting screens babysit our children, let’s encourage them to spend time building relationships, exploring their passions, and learning from the world around them.

As the Boston Magazine article points out, the truth about kids and smartphones is that we’re at a critical juncture. If we want to raise a generation that’s engaged, empathetic, and present, we need to help them stop the scroll and invest in experiences that feed their souls. At Mentmii, that’s exactly what we’re doing, one mentorship at a time.

Ready to Stop the Scroll?

Join the movement and explore how Mentmii is connecting kids to local mentors for real-world coaching and skills development. Let’s give them more than a screen—we’ll give them a future.