ABOUT

Our story

We’re a group of everyday parents who started asking hard questions.

Why are our kids so anxious? Why is connection slipping away? Why are our kids hassling us so much for a device? Why does childhood feel so rushed, so digital, so… different?

We didn’t set out to start a movement. We just wanted to protect what matters most—play, presence and real connection. But the more we learned, the clearer it became: early smartphone ownership is changing childhood, and not for the better.

So we pressed pause.

We began sharing research, talking with schools, and connecting with other families who felt the same unease. And we discovered we weren’t alone. Across New Zealand, parents are rethinking the norm—and choosing to delay smartphones for their children.

SFCNZ was born from that shared hope. We’re here to support families, spark honest conversations, and create a cultural shift—one choice, one community, one childhood at a time.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, courage, and collective care.

We’re not just saying no to smartphones. We’re saying yes to childhood.

Our work to date

Every step we’ve taken has been shaped by real conversations—with young people, parents, educators, and communities across New Zealand—and informed by research and expert insights from here and around the world. We’ve been listening, learning, and building this movement together.

Parent ambassadors across Aotearoa

Change is growing from the ground up, with parents leading local conversations—backed by a strong Ambassador network and an ambassador coordinator.

Parent pact

Families standing together to delay smartphones—because collective action makes all the difference

Resources & speakers

Equipping communities with the tools and knowledge to reclaim childhood in today’s digital landscape.

Who is backing us?

Who's talking about us?

Our core team

We’re a growing team of parents with backgrounds in education, design, technology, community work, child rights and advocacy—bringing lived experience and deep care to this kaupapa. We’ve worked across schools, charities, NGOs, government and business, and we're on the ground listening to families and responding to real needs. While guided by our core team, the strength of this movement lies in the wider community of parents, educators and advocates across Aotearoa.

Katrina Colombie

Co-founder & Director

Katrina, Mum of two, leads the team in Aotearoa, driving strategy, communications, and operations. With a background in urban design and teaching technology, she brings expertise in collaborative leadership, advocacy, and the environmental factors shaping behaviour and wellbeing—now guiding SFCNZ’s voice and mobilising a growing network of partners, parents, and educators.

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Kayte Fairfax

Child Voice Lead

Kayte, Mum of three, brings over 15 years’ experience in child rights, advocacy, and international development across government and NGO roles in New Zealand and overseas. She’s a skilled communicator and strategic thinker with a strong analytical lens and a deep commitment to child rights, equity, safety, and collective wellbeing. Kayte is energised by community-led change and the power of shared action.

Nicholas Poppelwell

Finance & Youth Governance

Nicholas leads SFCNZ’s financial oversight and brings youth insight to governance. With a background in accounting, financial engineering, and student leadership, he offers strategic thinking and lived experience—now helping shape a movement through real-world connection and collective action.

Chris Taylor

Ambassador Coordinator

Chris, Dad of four, supports SFCNZ’s ambassador network, drawing on his experience as a mindset and performance coach. With a background in engineering and over a decade in personal development, he brings expertise in self-leadership, resilience, and courageous communication—now supporting ambassadors and communities to spark positive change through storytelling, outreach, and empowered conversations.

Dr Emily Loan

Co-founding Advisory Board Member, GP

Emily is a Tauranga-based GP and Mum of three, deeply committed to supporting healthier childhoods. Her advocacy is shaped by both personal experience and her frontline work in youth mental health, where she sees the ripple effects of digital stress on families, schools, and communities.

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Dr Samantha Marsh

Advisory Board Member, Senior Research Fellow at The University of Auckland, Speaker

Samantha is Mum of two, and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Auckland whose work explores the impact of screens on children’s wellbeing and development. A trusted voice in media and public discourse, she’s especially focused on engaging directly with parents and communities—helping unpack the complexities of digital life and championing practical ways to support children, teens, and families to thrive.

Laszlo Csite

Advisory Board Member, CEO of 360 Tuned, Digital Reach for NGO's

Laszlo is a Dad of two, a Digital & Agile Coach and founder of LACIX Ventures and 360tuned, with over 24 years guiding large-scale transformations at KPMG, PwC, Accenture, Deloitte, and McKinsey. A certified Agile Scrum Master and Salesforce CRM consultant, Laszlo now dedicates his expertise to helping nonprofits, B Corps, and mission-driven organisations deliver sustainable, meaningful results for people and the planet.

Malindi MacLean

Advisory Board Member, CEO of Outward Bounds NZ, Online Safety Advocate, Speaker

Malindi is a Mum of two, CEO of Outward Bound NZ, with a background in psychology, business leadership, and professional sport. She sees firsthand how time away from smartphones builds confidence, connection, and resilience in young people. Deeply concerned by the impact of screen addiction on childhood development, Malindi advocates for stronger protections and healthier digital environments.

Our advisory board

We’re fortunate to be guided by a distinguished Advisory Board of experts in education, mental health, digital well-being, and more. Each member brings valuable expertise, grounded insight, and a shared commitment to creating positive change for children and families. Their guidance helps shape our direction and keep our work aligned with the goal of fostering healthy digital futures for children across Aotearoa.