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Katherine Martinko

  • Author of 'Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance'
  • Creator of Popular Substack Newsletter 'The Analog Family'

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Writer, editor, and speaker Katherine Martinko strives to empower parents, teens, and other adults to limit screen time using the philosophy of “digital minimalism.” She is the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance (2023) and creator of a fast-growing Substack newsletter called The Analog Family. Her approach is not anti-tech but strives to put digital media in its rightful place—as a tool, not a toy. Martinko offers smart guidance on tough topics like when to give a kid a smartphone, how to handle social media, how to say no and deal with a teen’s FOMO, how to get comfortable with giving kids more independent play, and why we all have a responsibility to help solve this collection action problem.

A former senior editor at Dotdash Meredith, Martinko is a speaker participating in Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation campaign. She is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and appears regularly on national radio, TV, talk shows, and podcasts, including CBC, The National, and Global TV. Her editorial experience spans notable brands such as Martha Stewart, Allrecipes, Angi, Discovery, Treehugger, Huffington Post, Motherly, and The Toronto Star.

Martinko is well-equipped to speak on the vital issues of an anxious generation and the need for childhood unplugged. Her knowledge, practical advice, and genuine passion for improving mental well-being make her a powerful voice for those seeking to reclaim balance in the digital age.

 


Katherine Martinko headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board
  • Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention
  • McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Rockford University, Illinois
  • Grand Rapids Christian Schools, Michigan
  • Trillium Lakelands District School Board (Ontario, Canada)
  • Near North District School Board (Ontario, Canada)
  • Family Services, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Oak Harbor District School Board, WA
  • Sterling High School, Somerdale, NJ
Rave Reviews About Katherine Martinko
“
Your presentation was extremely engaging. (The statistics that show how much typical screen time adds up over the course of a year and over a lifetime are particularly attention grabbing and telling.) You outline the harms clearly and without shying away from just how bad the situation is, but do so without panic and while staying focused on solutions. Your non-judgmental approach to what we now know to be the mistake of giving kids access to digital technologies for entertainment and “connection” (and thereby giving the internet free access to our kids!) is just what is needed. You provide practical solutions and advice for parents to reset their family’s relationship with digital technologies regardless of where they find themselves on the spectrum of screen time and device use. Thank you! (And I’m telling all my friends about your book!)

”
More rave reviews

"Katherine delivered a compelling presentation on the importance of digital minimalism, shedding light on the impact technology can have on our children and teens. Her insights were thought provoking and left our audience inspired to create healthier tech habits for both themselves and their families!"

-Kerry Minet, Manager of Marketing & Events, Family Services, Poughkeepsie NY (March 2025)

"It was a wonderful discussion! We have been getting so much great feedback! Thank you so much for being part of it!"

-Leah Feldman, CEO, Family Services, Poughkeepsie NY (March 2025)

"We are getting amazing feedback from our staff on your presentation!! Your words were compassionate and convicting where we all took something away to apply at home and in the classroom. "

-Jared Claybourne, principal, Sterling High School, Somerdale NJ (March 2025)

"Katherine, thank you so very much for your presentation. While it is hard for parents to face the realities of today; it’s absolutely crucial we hear the voices warning us of this new age in parenting. I appreciate your straightforward and unapologetic approach. Your agency in parenting is contagious, and candid words cut straight through the garbled excuses. I knew having you into our district was the right choice."

-Stacy Finers, COPACS, Vancouver Island (March 2025), webinar
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Library Talks with Katherine Martinko | Bruce County Public Library - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Katherine Martinko
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The Anxious Generation: Rethinking Screen Time for a Healthier Future

As children’s mental health challenges surge, the link between excessive screen time and rising anxiety has never been more urgent. As a speaker for The Anxious Generation campaign, KATHERINE MARTINKO helps parents and educators navigate the digital landscape with a balanced, practical approach—one ...

As children’s mental health challenges surge, the link between excessive screen time and rising anxiety has never been more urgent. As a speaker for The Anxious Generation campaign, KATHERINE MARTINKO helps parents and educators navigate the digital landscape with a balanced, practical approach—one that isn’t anti-tech but prioritizes intentional and mindful technology use. Drawing from research and personal experience as a mother of three, she explains how screen exposure affects cognitive development, attention spans, and emotional resilience, offering real-world strategies to delay smartphone use, set screen boundaries without constant conflict, and foster independent play.

Martinko also tackles the social pressures children and parents face—from FOMO (“Everyone else has a phone!”) to the challenge of limiting screens in a hyper-connected world. Beyond individual choices, she emphasizes the collective responsibility of parents, educators, and policymakers to shift how digital media is integrated into childhood—ensuring it remains a tool rather than a dominant force in young lives. Through her engaging and research-backed insights, she empowers families to create a healthier, less anxious generation in an era of digital distraction.

Author Talk: 'Childhood Unplugged'

Author KATHERINE MARTINKO draws on her own family's experience, plus interviews with digital minimalists, educators, and child development experts to bring back the magic of being a kid in Childhood Unplugged. Taking a calming, nonjudgmental approach, Martinko's talk is a lifeline for parents, careg ...

Author KATHERINE MARTINKO draws on her own family's experience, plus interviews with digital minimalists, educators, and child development experts to bring back the magic of being a kid in Childhood Unplugged. Taking a calming, nonjudgmental approach, Martinko's talk is a lifeline for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who questions the role of digital media and yearns for the young people in their life to experience the profound beauty and magic of childhood.

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Speaker News

Katherine Martinko's Childhood Unplugged is a calming, nonjudgemental lifeline for the magic of childhood in a world of screens

In her essential guide to taking back childhood from screens, Childhood Unplugged, KATHERINE MARTINKO draws on her own family's experience, plus interviews with digital minimalists, educators, and child development experts to bring back the magic of being a kid. She advocates for creating space for children to experience the world in a more tactile, nature-based way, fostering better mental health and development.

Martinko's talks inspire action to reduce the digital footprint in families' daily routines and focus on building healthier habits for future generations. Her knowledge, practical advice, and genuine passion for improving mental well-being make her a powerful voice for those seeking to reclaim balance in the digital age.

Watch Katherine Martinko discuss digital minimalism at St. Richard's Episcopal School >>

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Books by Katherine Martinko
Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance

Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance

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Press & Media
Katherine Martinko on digital image making and children's rights - QOL: Quality of Life Podcast
Childhood Lost - On The Bay Magazine
A day in the life of a screen-free kid - The Globe and Mail
Feature interview: strategies to keep your family analog [audio] - RNZ
Yes, you can be a good parent without taking a photo of your child’s every waking moment - The Globe and Mail
How prolonged screen time affects children [audio] - Yukon Morning with Elyn Jones
The Analog Family: Interview with Katherine Johnson Martinko - Born of Wonder
It's the Adults, Not the Kids! - The Analog Family
CFRA Live - Is Quebec's all-out classroom cellphone ban going too far? [audio] - OMNY
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Biography

Katherine Martinko is a writer, editor, and speaker. She is the author of Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance (2023) and creator of a fast-growing Substack newsletter called The Analog Family. 

As a public speaker, Katherine strives to empower parents, teens, and other adults to limit screen time using the philosophy of “digital minimalism.” Her approach is not anti-tech, but strives to put digital media in its rightful place—as a tool, not a toy. She offers smart guidance on tough topics like when to give a kid a smartphone, how to handle social media, how to say no and deal with a teen’s FOMO, how to get comfortable with giving kids more independent play, and why we all have a responsibility to help solve this collection action problem.

A former senior editor at Dotdash Meredith, Katherine is a speaker on behalf of Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation campaign. She is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and appears regularly on national radio, TV, talk shows, and podcasts, including CBC The National and Global TV. Her editorial experience spans notable brands such as Martha Stewart, Allrecipes, Angi, Discovery, Treehugger, Huffington Post, Motherly, and the Toronto Star.

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Katherine lives with her family in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the edge of beautiful Lake Huron.

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