Katherine Martinko
NEW EXCLUSIVE
ADD TO MY SPEAKER LIST
- Expert on Kids, Screens, and the Unplugged Childhood
- Author of 'Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance' and 'Hold the Phone: How Parents Can Rescue Their Kids From Too Much Screen Time'
- Creator of Popular Substack Newsletter 'The Analog Family'
- St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, Winnipeg
- Spackenkill District School Board, Poughkeepsie, NY
- The Salish School, Anacortes WA
- Red Clay Consolidated School District
- Highwood School, Calgary AB
- Julesburg School District, Colorado
- Family Services
- Rockford University, Illinois
- Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention
- Canopy Children's Solutions
"Katherine is an exceptional speaker whose visit to our school left a meaningful and lasting impact on students, staff, and families. Her insights from Childhood Unplugged were grounded in research, authenticity, and real‑world relevance, helping our community reflect deeply on screen habits and the value of reclaiming presence. Katherine connected effortlessly with learners of all ages, inviting thoughtful questions, inspiring honest self‑reflection, and encouraging practical steps toward a more balanced digital life. I highly recommend Katherine as a presenter for any school or organization seeking to spark important conversations about technology, wellbeing, and intentional living. "
-Steve Landreville, principal, St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, Winnipeg"Katherine Martinko’s presentation at Spackenkill High School on February 3rd was both engaging and deeply practical. She offered clear, realistic guidance for families navigating screen time, grounding her advice in strategies parents can actually implement at home. As a mother herself, Katherine brought authenticity and personal insight that made her guidance feel real, relatable, and attainable. She was personable and direct, creating an atmosphere where parents felt heard, validated, and supported rather than judged. Attendees left informed, encouraged, and empowered with concrete next steps. For schools seeking a thoughtful, effective partner in addressing the growing challenges of phone and screen use among students, Katherine is an ideal resource. Her presentation struck an ideal balance between research, honesty, lived experience, and empathy, making it incredibly valuable for our school community. "
-Clinton DeSouza, principal, Spackenkill District School Board, Poughkeepsie, NY"Katherine’s talk was thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply relevant for families today. She spoke with warmth and authenticity. Rather than making parents feel judged, Katherine offered simple, hopeful ways to rethink childhood and create opportunities for kids to grow in confidence and resilience in today’s digital age. It was a wonderful evening of reflection and connection, and we were honored to host her."
-The Salish School, Anacortes WA"Thank you again for coming to speak to our district! As a school employee, mom, and high school coach, it was very impactful. At one point, you said "I give you permission!" regarding setting boundaries around technology for our kiddos, and that statement was so powerful to me. It is important to hear supportive words like that, to reassure us that we are doing the right thing. "
-Mel McFadyen, Ipswich MA"Kids Literacy Collective was very proud to host author, key note speaker, and expert panel member Katherine Johnson Martinko to our Calgary Childhood Unplugged event. She highlighted compelling research and shared practical strategies to help families navigate screen use in today’s digital world. We strongly recommend others to bring her important and timely messages to your community so children can be safe from online harms."
-Steacy Pinney"Katherine was flexible, professional, and easy to communicate with throughout the planning process. Her presentation was engaging, insightful, and highly relevant in today’s digital world. Parents found the session incredibly valuable, gaining practical strategies to support healthy technology habits at home. I would highly recommend bringing Katherine and her important message to your organization or network."
-Jacqueline Ang, Highwood School, Calgary AB"Katherine Martinko’s presentation at the Julesburg School District was an eye-opening wake-up call for everyone in attendance. Katherine exposed the risks associated with screen time both at school and at home. Her practical advice arms parents with actionable strategies to reclaim family time and foster a healthy digital lifestyle. "
-Ryan Renquist, superintendent, Julesburg School District, Colorado"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)"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"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!)"
-Ana de Luca, Toronto"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)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 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.


