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?

Our team

Smartphone Free Childhood NZ is a parent‑led, grassroots movement reshaping the norms around early smartphone and social media use in Aotearoa. Led by co-founder Katrina Colombie and supported by an advisory board, the movement is powered by ambassadors — parents from every discipline, place, and stage of life — who are stepping up in their own communities. What unites us is simple: a shared belief that collective action can create healthier, happier childhoods.

This is a movement built by ordinary families choosing to do something extraordinary together.

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 understanding of how our environmental factors shaping behaviour and wellbeing—now guiding SFCNZ’s voice and mobilising a growing network of partners, parents, and educators.

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.

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.