Screenless Gift Ideas

The National Cyber Security Alliance estimates that youth aged 8 to 18 spend approximately 7½ hours online each day navigating social media sites, such as Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Many are unaware that while they can change their personal information, erase pictures and posts and/or delete their accounts, the data they posted will still be retrievable. When an embarrassing or intimate photo is shared, it can be impossible to retrieve. In addition, the Theft Resource Center reports that 500,000 young people have their identity stolen annually.

With Valentine’s Day and Graduations quickly approaching, consider selecting screenless gifts for your friends and loved ones. Cinema light boxes and Strange Dreams: A Journal (with guided prompts and space to draw) can be fun additions to teens’ bedrooms or dorm rooms. Combination alarm clocks/bedside lamps/wireless speakers not only save space, but also keep students from using their cell phones to wake up thereby allowing them to sleep longer and more deeply.

There are numerous board games that are popular with teenagers, including Curses! and What Do You Meme? Tickets to see a concert or a sporting event or to visit a theme park can provide quality time together. Pop-up books, such as The Little Prince Deluxe Pop-Up Book, are not only beautiful to look at, they also can help the recipient to rediscover a favorite story from childhood. White Mountain Puzzles has nostalgic jigsaw puzzles that feature “The 1980s” (1,000 pieces) and “What’s for Breakfast” (400 pieces with images of classic cereal boxes), which can be fun for multiple generations to assemble together.

Bubble Tea Kits allow teens to create a popular treat at home. A SoundBot Water Resistant Bluetooth Speaker lets individuals listen to their favorite music in the shower. A more expensive choice, Nike by You enables both males and females to customize pairs of basketball and running shoes or cleats.

Depression and anxiety are correlated with high levels of screen time. By being creative and giving screenless presents, you can help the teens in your life engage in more in-person social interactions, increase their physical activity and get enough rest, all of which will provide the additional gift of benefitting their mental health.