As parents, we often feel lost searching for content that isn’t “digital trash” (full of ads, addictive algorithms, or unmonitored chats). That is why today I want to talk to you about a corner of the internet that is, quite simply, an educational gem: Google Experiments.

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This isn’t a typical gaming platform. It is a showcase of experimental projects that use code, music, and artificial intelligence to show what is “under the hood” of technology. It’s a place where programming feels less like a math class and more like a magic trick they can control themselves.

Here is my selection of the most powerful experiments to explore as a family, organized by what your children can learn:

1. Demystifying Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Instead of seeing AI as something abstract or “magical,” these experiments teach them that machines learn because we train them. This is pure computational thinking.

• Teachable Machine: The star experiment. It allows a child to use their webcam to teach the computer to recognize objects or gestures. Want the computer to clap when it detects you’re wearing glasses? You can do it here.

• Quick, Draw!: A “Pictionary” game against a neural network. Kids draw, and the AI tries to guess what it is. It’s perfect for discussing how machines classify information and learning that, sometimes, they also make mistakes.

• Say What You See: A description challenge. They must write what they see in an image so the AI can try to replicate it. A brilliant way to train precision in language and understand the “art of the prompt.”

• Semantris: A word association game where the AI scores based on semantic relationships. Ideal for expanding vocabulary and understanding how machines connect logical concepts.

2. Art and Music: Where Code Becomes a Canvas

For those who think technology is “cold,” these experiments prove it is the ultimate creative tool.

• Chrome Music Lab: A collection of visual tools to explore sound. From turning drawings into music to seeing how a sound wave vibrates. It is visual, intuitive, and fascinating music.

• Blob Opera: Four “blobs” that sing opera in real-time. By moving them, they change pitch and harmony. It’s a lesson in vocal technique and musical harmony disguised as a fun game.

• Shared Piano: A collaborative virtual piano. You can send the link to a friend and play together in real-time from different homes. Technology as a bridge, not a wall.

• Land Lines: Draw a line or scribble, and the experiment will search for satellite images from across the planet (rivers, coastlines, roads) that match your stroke. A beautiful connection between art and real geography.

3. Science, Empathy, and the Real World

Experiments that use technology to expand our vision of the world and others.

• Creatability: Creative tools designed for people with disabilities. It teaches children how technology can be inclusive (for example, drawing with the movement of your nose).

• The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks: An immersive journey through incredible ecosystems. You can fly over volcanoes or dive in reefs while experts explain the science behind what you see.

• Shadow Art: Combines the physical play of shadow puppets with image recognition. You have to place your hands in front of the camera to form animals, and the AI helps you perfect the pose.

• Google Arts & Culture: The infinite museum. It allows everything from seeing paintings in ultra-high definition to projecting artworks into your living room using augmented reality.

Why do we love this at Papitek?

As you’ve seen in other articles, we are concerned about the impact of social media and empty consumption. Google Experiments is the antidote for three reasons:

1. No ads or “hooks”: There are no algorithms trying to keep you there for three hours. The goal is for you to try something, learn, and leave with a new idea.

2. Open Source: Many projects show how they were made. They encourage that curiosity to “open the lid” of the machine.

3. Active Participation: Here you don’t just watch; you touch, you train, and you create.

One final piece of advice: Don’t leave them alone with these experiments. Sit with them. Try to “trick” the Quick, Draw! AI or compose a crazy melody in the Music Lab. When we get involved, we show them that the internet isn’t just a place to watch, but a giant laboratory for experimentation.

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The magic of an LMS lies in its ability to manage chaos. For a teacher, it is the control tower from which they organize lessons, grade, and track each student’s progress in real-time. For us, as parents, understanding how they work is key to helping our children develop autonomy. It is not just a file repository; it is a management center where the student learns to organize their time, prioritize tasks, and interact in a controlled professional environment long before facing the working world.

I am often asked if studying through an LMS is the same as a traditional face-to-face class. The answer is a resounding no, and that is where its value lies. While face-to-face classes are based on synchronicity and direct contact, studying via an LMS fosters “asynchronous” learning. This allows a teenager to review a math video as many times as they need or participate in a discussion forum at their own pace. The LMS does not replace the teacher; instead, it amplifies their reach, allowing the classroom to become a space for practice while theory is managed flexibly on the platform.

If we take a look at the tools your children might be using at school, the undisputed queens are Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams. Both are options integrated into ecosystems we already know and are noted for their simplicity. However, in recent years, Canvas has burst onto the scene. Unlike the previous ones, Canvas was born specifically as a pure LMS and stands out for its highly visual and easy-to-use interface, allowing both students and parents to see the delivery calendar and grades very transparently at a glance. It is, possibly, the platform that best balances technical power with a modern user experience.

For projects seeking total independence from large corporations, the open-source standard is Moodle. It is the “veteran” of the group, an open-source option that allows for total customization. Although its interface may seem less “clean” than that of Canvas or Google, it is incredibly powerful for managing complex courses. It is the type of platform your children will likely encounter if they decide to pursue higher education or specialized technical training, as it offers much deeper pedagogical control than more commercial options.

But the world of free software doesn’t end with Moodle. There are other free and open gems like Chamilo, which stands out for being extremely lightweight and easy to learn (ideal if the educational center doesn’t want technical complications), or Sakai, which was designed by and for leading universities. These alternatives ensure that education does not depend on expensive licenses and foster a global community where software is improved collaboratively, conveying the values of sharing and building together to the students.

Online learning, moreover, extends beyond school hours. If your child has a special curiosity for programming, photography, or design, platforms like Udemy or Coursera are the ideal place. Udemy works as a global marketplace for practical and direct courses, ideal for learning specific skills quickly. Coursera, for its part, partners with prestigious universities (such as Stanford or MIT), offering a more formal academic structure. They are the perfect complements for a teenager to discover their vocation beyond the mandatory curriculum.

At the end of the day, the important thing is not just the tool, but the capacity it gives our children to own their own learning. A well-used LMS teaches them digital responsibility: knowing where to look for material, how to submit an assignment on time, and how to collaborate with other classmates remotely. These are skills that will serve them for life, regardless of whether they decide to be engineers, artists, or entrepreneurs in the future.

As I always say, technology should not be a wall, but a bridge. Don’t be afraid to take a look at these platforms with them. Ask them how they organize their folders in Classroom or what course catches their eye on Coursera. By getting involved, we show them that learning online is not a lonely task, but a shared adventure in which we can always guide them on the path of curiosity and discipline.

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The announcement responds to a shift in the perception of new technologies that began a few years ago, primarily following scandals like the one involving Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. Since then, a certain “techno-pessimism” has replaced those years when social media seemed like democratizing tools that had arrived to “make the world a better place.” Those were the days when it seemed Twitter was the cause of popular revolutions and not the cesspool of hate it has become today.

Since then, many voices have risen to denounce the negative impact social media has on the well-being of young people: loss of attention, increased intensity of youth bullying, privacy intrusions, and mental health issues related to self-esteem or sleep. The combination of mobile phones and social networks—especially Instagram and TikTok—has given rise to what Jonathan Haidt calls the “phone-based childhood.”

With this shift in perception, the first attempts to change the status quo have begun—a status quo that seemed to be driving us to leave our children in the hands of social media at increasingly younger ages. The mobile phone, and with it uncontrolled access to social networks, was being handed over earlier and earlier. Twelve years old seemed like the absolute ceiling that was impossible to exceed without giving them one, but for a long time now, it has been the “star gift” of the First Communion (between ages 7 and 10), and it is quite common to see smartphones in primary schools.

First came the changes in the regulation of schools and institutes, banning phones in classrooms. Regarding social media, Australia was the first country to make a move by banning access to those under 16; following them, others like France (15 years) and now Spain seem to be following the same line. If we set aside the noise that political polarization can create, we welcome the fact that attempts are finally being made to change a situation that was starting to become truly worrying. Let’s analyze the different aspects of this news.

Do Social Media Cause Mental Health Problems?

This is the most controversial point. Judging by the data, it seems evident that a global mental health epidemic has been recorded over the last ten years, especially affecting young people. Numerous experts from fields such as psychology, psychiatry, or sociology argue that there is no causal relationship between social media use and these problems. At this point, it is worth remembering that causality is not the same as correlation: just because two events are related doesn’t mean one causes the other.

However, many other researchers believe that the correlation between the two is, on its own, a reason to legislate on the matter, especially given the gravity of the problem. Others emphasize a point to keep in mind: use is not the same as abuse. Perhaps a reasonable use of social media does not have a negative impact, but its addictive design pushes many adolescents to use it uncontrollably, negatively affecting multiple aspects of their lives.

Can You Put Gates on the Internet Field?

One of the most unknown aspects for most families is the technical impact that the development of the law may have. At first glance, it is hard to believe the big tech companies when they claim they cannot determine a user’s age with certainty, especially considering the advanced AI systems they use to know our most intimate details. However, the question lies not only in the possibility of doing it but in doing it securely, without revealing our identity. The EU has been working for some time on a “digital passport” to facilitate these types of operations, though it is still years away from being available.

Another issue that has been highlighted in countries that have already passed similar laws is the technical “tricks” to bypass blocks. The most obvious is the use of a VPN. This technology allows a user to simulate a connection from another country where the age restriction does not apply. While it is true that for any measure approved, some kind of cheat will exist, it is no less true that not everyone has the technical knowledge to use it. Furthermore, disincentivizing—even if it doesn’t represent an absolute triumph in the short term—always represents progress in the long run when it comes to changing habits and customs.

And the Tech Companies, What About Them?

Many voices accurately point out that the true and definitive solution must involve a redesign of these types of applications. We are all familiar with the techniques social media uses to “vampirize” our attention: infinite scroll, instant gratification, social validation through likes, constant notifications... The algorithm they work with drags people—and more forcefully, adolescents—into an “echo chamber” effect where they come to believe that the world is, in fact, what is happening on their timeline.

Knowing these strategies, it wouldn’t hurt to demand that the companies creating these networks stop performing social engineering experiments on the minds of our youth. Their profit model based on advertising must be able to survive without turning the brain into a punching bag, constantly rattled by algorithms seeking their thirty seconds of glory at the expense of polarizing, poisoning, and destroying self-esteem through social comparison strategies.

The Role of Families

And what is our role as families in all this? Well, obviously, we must take the lead, regardless of what happens with the new law. The ultimate responsibility for everything that has happened so far is ours, and it will remain so. Beyond how “evil” social media can be, it is in our hands to educate our children in the responsible use of any type of technology. Warning them of the dangers, controlling their use, or proposing creative alternatives are tasks we should incorporate into our digital routine.

Of course, the most important part of education comes from the example we set. It is useless to try to explain to young people how harmful social media can be if we spend the day with our own noses buried in Instagram. One of the reasons the age of use plummeted was the inability of parents to forbid their children from something they themselves did not perceive as dangerous. Well, it is time we treat social networks as what they are: something as harmful, addictive, and dangerous as tobacco or alcohol. You wouldn’t let your children smoke or drink at 12 years old, would you? Exactly.

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A Final Reflection

I am reading many people saying that the law will not achieve the desired effect, that it has technical complications that aren’t being discussed, or that it is a cover to deflect attention from the government’s political problems. These types of comments seem cynical to me. What is the alternative? Denying that social media is related to multiple mental health issues by hiding behind certain statistical studies? Honestly, anyone who has children or pays a little attention to youth will realize that something is wrong and that we have lost control of the situation.

All the excuses and criticisms regarding the law will not hide the harsh reality: it is necessary to put a foot in the door and stop this spiral we have fallen into. Someday, we will look back and think how we were so naive and irresponsible to let our children connect, practically without control, to technologies with such harmful potential as current social media.

Doing nothing cannot be an option.

Enough is enough.

In sociology, the “third place” is that space that is neither home nor school (or work), but a social meeting point. For Gen Z, that place is called Discord.

What is Discord exactly?

Although we usually compare it to WhatsApp, Discord is actually a hybrid mix between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and a game room. It is a platform designed to create communities (called “servers”) where you can chat by text, talk by voice, and stream video in real-time.

If WhatsApp is a tool for quick messages, Discord is an always-open digital living room. You don’t just enter to send a message; you enter to “be” with others.

Why is it teenagers’ favorite tool?

It’s not just because of video games. Discord has managed to understand young people’s needs better than Facebook or even Instagram. Here are its key advantages:

• Privacy and Anonymity: Unlike WhatsApp, you don’t need to give out your phone number to talk to someone. You only require a username. This gives them a layer of privacy they value highly.

• Organization by Channels: Within a single server (the friend group), they can have separate channels for different topics: one for homework, one for music, one for the trendy game, and one for memes. Everything is tidy; it’s not a chaos of infinite messages.

• Superior Voice Quality: Its technology allows being on a voice call for hours without cuts and with very low resource consumption, which allows playing at the same time without the computer or mobile phone freezing.

• The “Bots”: Discord allows adding small automated programs (bots) that play music, launch polls, or automatically moderate group language.

• Sense of Belonging: Servers can range from a group of 5 school friends to massive communities. For example, the official Fortnite server in Spain has over 150,000 users, allowing kids with similar interests to meet and share tricks.

Servers: The Heart of the Platform

Everything on Discord happens in servers. Think of them as buildings where every room (channel) has a purpose.

• Private Servers: The most common. Closed groups of friends where you can only enter by invitation.

• Public Servers: Large fan communities about specific topics (anime, programming, YouTubers). Some content creators offer access to exclusive servers via paid subscriptions, creating a circle of trust with their followers.

• Roles and Hierarchies: Admins can assign “roles” to users (e.g., “Moderator,” “Pro Player,” “Newbie”). This gives a social structure they love and helps them self-manage their own communities.

From Video Games to the Study of “Metaverse”

Although born for gamers, Discord has exploded in use in other areas. During exams, it is common to see study servers where young people share screens to explain math problems to each other or review notes together. Discord bets on this integral community model, even integrating its own game store and streaming services.

It is such a powerful tool that, if you know how to use it, it becomes an unrivaled hub for productivity and leisure.

For those who have never explored this world, programming is, in essence, the art of communicating directly with machines—from the computer you are using to read this to the robot vacuum roaming your living room. Knowing how to code means moving past instruction manuals and starting to write your own; it is speaking to technology on its own terms using its own language.

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The Myth of the “Digital Native” vs. the “Digital Creator”

We live in a hyper-technological world, and we often fall into the trap of thinking that our children, simply because they were born with a tablet in their hands, have already mastered technology. In a previous article, we already discussed how being a “digital native” does not guarantee real technical skills.

The majority of young people are experts at consuming: watching videos on YouTube, scrolling through TikTok, or chatting. They are users of interfaces designed to be addictive and easy. Knowing how to code changes the rules of the game. It puts you on the other side of the screen. It gives you the key to understanding how things work from the inside and empowers you to extract the full potential a machine has to offer. It is the difference between knowing how to drive a car and knowing how the engine works so you can improve it.

What Happens in a Child’s Brain When They Learn to Code?

Learning code isn’t just about learning a strange syntax; it is a form of “brain gymnastics” that develops skills transferable to any walk of life:

1. Computational Thinking This is the star benefit. It is a mental process that allows us to tackle complex problems in a structured way. It is based on three pillars:

   • Abstraction: The ability to identify the essentials of a problem while ignoring irrelevant details.

   • Decomposition: Learning to break a large problem (like “creating a video game”) into tiny, manageable sub-problems (like “making the character jump”).

   • Pattern Recognition: Identifying solutions we have used before to apply them to new problems, thereby creating algorithms.

2. Resilience and Frustraton Management In the programming world, there is a mantra: code never works the first time. “Bugs” or errors are constant. Coding teaches children that failing is part of the learning process. It forces them to analyze their own mistakes, to be patient, and to persist until the program “runs.” It is a fundamental life lesson: an error is not a failure; it is a clue.

3. Multidisciplinary Creativity Programming is often associated with “cold” mathematics, but it is an unparalleled creative tool. It is the blank canvas of the 21st century. A child can use code to compose generative music, create visual art, edit films, or design 3D worlds. It is the perfect bridge between the sciences and the arts.

4. Math with Meaning Let’s be realistic: math can be dry at school. However, in programming, math is the language of magic. Children learn geometry to position an object on a coordinate axis, pure logic to create conditionals (“if this happens, do that”), and calculus to measure speeds in a game. Here, mathematics has an immediate and fun purpose.

The Roadmap by Age: When to Start?

Coding is hard. We aren’t going to lie to ourselves or sell magic formulas. It requires consistent effort over years and constant updating because technology moves fast. However, the learning curve can be very rewarding if developmental stages are respected:

• From 4 to 6 years old (”Offline” logical thinking): At this age, the goal is not for them to write code, but to understand sequential logic. We can use board games, LEGO blocks to create color sequences, or even challenges in the hallway at home where the child must “give instructions” to their parents to get to the kitchen.

• From 7 to 11 years old (Block-based programming): This is the golden age of tools like Scratch. By not having to write code (only dragging pieces), the barriers of spelling and syntax are removed, allowing them to focus 100% on the logic of the story or game they are creating.

• From 12 years old (Text languages): With a solid logical foundation, they can make the jump to real languages like Python or JavaScript, where complexity increases but so do the professional possibilities.

Recommended Resources to Start Today

If you want your children to take their first steps, here is a selection of the best current educational ecosystems:

• Scratch (from MIT): The cornerstone of modern teaching. It’s free, has a massive global community, and allows for the creation of interactive stories and games using colored blocks. It is intuitive, friendly, and very visual.

• Code.org: A non-profit organization seeking to democratize access to computer science. They offer the famous “Hour of Code,” with tutorials set in worlds kids love (Star Wars, Frozen, or Minecraft) to learn basic concepts in 60-minute sessions.

• LEGO Education (BOOST and Mindstorms): For those who prefer to touch things. With LEGO BOOST (from age 7), children build models with sensors and motors that they control from an app. Mindstorms is the advanced version, oriented toward competitive robotics and more complex projects.

• Minecraft Education Edition: Not just a game. This educational version allows teachers and parents to create worlds where children must solve programming, chemistry, or history challenges. It’s a real first step toward what many call the “metaverse.”

• Arduino: An open-source electronic board. It is ideal for teenagers who want to create their own physical inventions: room alarms, automatic irrigation systems, or weather stations. It is the gateway to engineering and electronics.

• Mobile Apps: For short moments on the tablet, I recommend Code Karts (driving logic for the little ones), Kodable (very structured for initial levels), or Lightbot (a pure logic puzzle that hooks even adults).

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Conclusion: A Challenge for Us Too

As parents, our role isn’t necessarily to be expert programmers, but curious companions. Learning to code alongside our children can be an incredible bonding experience. It’s about fostering that spark of curiosity to understand how the machines around us work, rather than simply accepting them as “black magic.”

Perhaps, in the process of helping your little ones move a digital cat across the screen, you’ll get bitten by the bug too. It’s never too late to start speaking the language of the future.

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One of the greatest risks of using AI as a school support tool is offloading the entire burden onto it, with students contributing zero effort. It is vital that we remind students that the “heavy lifting” of cognitive development must remain with them. Large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot are great for helping overcome “blank page syndrome” or assisting in final editing, but the core development must remain human.

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Instead of asking ChatGPT to write a 10,000-word essay on the Industrial Revolution, it is better to ask it to suggest themes to cover if we are stuck, or to review a final draft for spelling and syntax to improve readability. We must train our way of thinking about the tools at our disposal so we don’t end up outsourcing our entire intellectual activity. We must narrow the scope of what we ask of them to maintain our identity and avoid becoming redundant.

One of the main issues with AI as an educational support technology is the famous “hallucinations.” Despite the mystical name, these are simply errors that are difficult to detect because of the high level of confidence language models display when constructing text. Wrong dates, non-existent references, mistaken names... The presence of hallucinations in a school assignment not only proves AI was used; it also indicates a low level of student engagement—they didn’t even stop to check the text.

Today, I’d like to introduce—for those “techie-moms and dads” who aren’t yet familiar with it—NotebookLM, a Google tool available for free (with certain limits). NotebookLM is a system that allows us to upload information in almost any format (text, video, audio, web pages) to a Google language model so that we can “work” the content however we choose. The possibility of hallucinations is virtually eliminated because NotebookLM will only answer questions based on the specific source material we have uploaded.

This is what NotebookLM looks like

Of course, it offers the same possibilities as ChatGPT or Gemini. If we upload a history book or a website about the Industrial Revolution, we could ask it to write that 10,000-word essay. However, the power of NotebookLM lies in the specific educational support tools it offers. We can create interactive mind maps, reports on specific topics of interest, explanatory infographics, or even slides for presentations. It allows us to generate an audio podcast where two people discuss the topic, and even create 5-to-10-minute educational videos where we can decide the talking points and the visual style.

Is creating a mind map from scratch the same for our learning as using one provided for us? Clearly not. The effort of understanding a text, extracting the main concepts, and linking them together helps create meaningful learning experiences. On the other hand, using content created by NotebookLM can be seen as a shortcut, but we aren’t delegating the entire job; we are leaning on the tool to facilitate our comprehension of the topic. A large part of the final result must still depend on us—on giving meaning to all the information we’ve gathered through the tool.

The potential of this Google tool to generate different educational formats makes it a powerful study ally. A process of source verification must still exist, since we work with the material we choose to upload. We are able to reorganize information to easily address issues related to diversity and personalized learning. It builds an immersive teaching process from a single source of information, including all kinds of interactivity.

These are the types of advancements that, despite still having cons, represent a very significant shift in how we study. My own study process now includes a compilation of information sources I consider reliable, and from those, I build materials that help me dive deeper into a subject with both theoretical and practical content.

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The role of the teacher is changing. On one hand, they must guide students toward reliable sources and ensure they access them. From there, their task is to accompany students through more practical matters, where face-to-face interaction is much more valuable.

Most importantly, we have the opportunity to explain to young people why the option that might seem fastest and most efficient—surrendering ourselves completely to AI—is not necessarily the best idea in the long run. And we can have this debate not from a place of prohibition, but by offering alternatives that value AI while using it in a much more conscious way.

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What I was unaware of was the popularity of Roblox in that regard. If a teenager asks for it so casually, it means it has become a standard. For those who don’t know it, Roblox is a platform with a Minecraft-like aesthetic where users can create video games that also act as meeting spaces between avatars. Roblox is played daily by more than 150 million people, 40% of them under the age of 13.

Roblox has become a risk for the online safety of minors. It has filled up with extreme content open to everyone and has become an anonymous meeting point between adults and minors without any type of control. A few weeks ago, they announced facial recognition to detect the age of users and only grant communication permissions to users of similar ages. It is an attempt to dodge the tip of the iceberg, which are the cases of online pedophilia, but the design of the tool—fighting for attention without taking into account the user’s well-being—already poses a threat to such young ages.

Online identity and the consequences of digital anonymity have been one of the great subjects of study since the beginning of social communications on the internet. Chats like ICQ or IRC are part of my digital adolescence, and they were a first contact with that strange sensation of being part of a forum where you are only what YOU say you are. Then came social networks like MySpace, Facebook, or Instagram, and constructing your digital identity started to get complicated and required almost as much time as we dedicate to our offline lives.

Each of those digital spaces has had its rules, its risks, and its entertainments. It is difficult as a father or mother to think that you are going to have to immerse yourself in all of them until your children are capable of discerning the correct uses. Personally, social networks of any kind cause me more and more trouble. However, it is useful to get informed about our children’s main communication channels. Above all, with the goal of keeping them informed on the best way to make the most of them.

There is such a quantity of alternatives with which to build your digital identity that it is not necessary to do so through potentially toxic platforms. You can even survive being an adolescent and not having Instagram. Cases occur, however rare they may be, and from what is known, they are in a perfect state of social health. However impossible that might seem to a 14-year-old today.

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Perhaps it was the accumulation of negative news about social media practices designed to exploit our attention. Or perhaps, after nearly ten years of indiscriminate use of smart mobile devices, we began to perceive the impact they were having on our lives. To what extent they were modifying our habits, and not always in a way that was pleasant for us.

The truth is that the publication of The Anxious Generation, an exhaustive analysis by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on the impacts of screens on the mental health of children and adolescents, provided a theoretical corpus to what was beginning to be a silent outcry: young people are suffering a global mental health epidemic that is directly related to the use of mobile devices and social networks.

In his book, Haidt deploys an arsenal of data and reflections showing how, since 2016, we have moved from a childhood mediated by play to one mediated by screens. This shift has resulted in a generation that is overprotected in the physical world, yet abandoned to their fate on the internet without any control over the multiple actors that threaten their mental health in various ways (cyberbullying, sleep problems, lack of self-esteem...).

As a result of this change in mindset, many families are beginning to organize to put the brakes on social dynamics that dictate an increasingly early use of screens. It seemed like a divine mandate: having to give our children a mobile phone when they started secondary school, at twelve years old. The age of access to social media had spiraled out of control, and we found children under ten using TikTok without any supervision. Putting a stop to these practices meant condemning the kids to social ostracism.

However, there is strength in numbers, and groups of mothers and fathers concerned about this issue are beginning to realize that, collectively, the isolation is cushioned. If everyone rows in the same direction, it is easier to impose healthy practices in young people’s relationship with technology. Delaying the age of handing over the first smartphone with internet and social media access has positive consequences in all aspects of life (psychological, academic, and social). With will, a little effort, and pacts between families, all of this is possible.

In Spain, the response has been particularly vigorous, organized, and adapted to the local cultural reality. The movement “Adolescencia Libre de Móviles” (ALM - Mobile-Free Adolescence) and its regional variants, such as the Asociación Adolescencia Libre de Móviles de Madrid (ALMMA) or family groups in Barcelona, have structured a community response based on the “Family Pact” tool. The sociological premise driving this strategy is clear: an individual parent who denies a mobile phone to their child condemns them to social ostracism and isolation; but if the entire class group, or a significant majority, agrees not to hand one over, the social pressure disappears, and the norm changes radically.

For families seeking to materialize this disconnection, the device market in 2025 has evolved significantly. It is no longer limited to old phones rescued from oblivion; a new category of devices designed intentionally for digital minimalism has emerged. However, in the European and Spanish context, there is a critical barrier that defines the viability of any device: WhatsApp.

In Spain and much of Europe, social, school, and extracurricular life is coordinated almost exclusively through WhatsApp. Therefore, a pure “dumb phone” (without the ability to install apps) can result in real social and logistical isolation for a Spanish teenager. The following analysis classifies the devices available in 2025 according to their ability to manage this reality, dividing them into categories ranging from minimalist purism to hybrid pragmatism.

Category A: Premium Minimalism (Design, Ethics, and Radical Disconnection)

These devices represent the vanguard of ethical design. They are created from scratch to offer a calm user experience, without the interruptions of the attention economy. They are ideal for families seeking total disconnection from social media and who are willing to assume the cost (economic and social) of not having WhatsApp integrated into the mobile device.

Light Phone III: The Light Phone III positions itself as the definitive evolution of technological minimalism. Unlike its predecessor, which used a small e-ink screen, this model incorporates a matte black-and-white AMOLED screen, designed to be legible but not stimulating. Its most notable feature is the inclusion of cameras, but under a unique philosophy: inspired by analog “point and shoot” cameras, they have a dedicated two-step shutter button and central focus, eliminating the immediacy of review and editing that fosters obsession with image.

Mudita Kompakt: Designed in Poland, the Mudita Kompakt is a European answer to the disconnection dilemma. It is an E-Ink device that prioritizes privacy and mental calm over immediacy. It runs MuditaOS K, an operating system based on Android but totally “de-googled” and closed, designed to protect user data and avoid distractions.

Punkt MP02 (New Generation): The Punkt MP02, designed by Jasper Morrison, is an icon of Swiss industrial design. It focuses exclusively on voice and text, with an added layer of security. A minimalist voice phone with physical keys. It uses Pigeon, an implementation of the Signal protocol, to offer encrypted messaging and secure voice calls over data.

Category B: The “European Compromise” (Classic Phones with WhatsApp)

This category represents the most pragmatic and viable solution for the majority of families in Spain. These are devices with a classic form factor (flip or bar type) that execute modified or simplified versions of Android. This allows for the installation and use of WhatsApp, but the user experience for browsing the internet or using social networks is so uncomfortable and limited that the teenager gives up doing so out of sheer friction.

TTFone TT970: A flip phone with large keys, originally designed for the senior market but massively adopted by the minimalist movement for its functionality. It runs a simplified version of Android 8.1. WhatsApp comes pre-installed and is fully functional, supporting voice calls and video calls. A crucial advantage is that it allows linking WhatsApp Web, making it easier for the teenager to manage long conversations from a computer, reducing time with the phone in hand.

Emporia TOUCHsmart.3: A robust Austrian design, also a flip phone, focused on simplicity and durability. It runs Android Go Edition, optimized for basic hardware. It features a dedicated physical button for WhatsApp, which facilitates direct access to communication without having to navigate menus, reinforcing its use as a communication tool and not for entertainment. Like the TTFone, its closed form factor and the combination of a small touch screen with a physical keyboard actively disincentivize “doomscrolling.”

SPC Zeus 4G Pro (The Local Spanish Option): A phone from the Spanish brand SPC, designed for the senior segment but adaptable. From the factory, it comes with a “Senior Mode” with giant icons that might be stigmatizing for a teenager. However, being Android, this mode can be deactivated. It is recommended to install a minimalist “launcher” (such as Niagara Launcher or Before Launcher) to transform the interface into a clean, modern text list, keeping WhatsApp and Spotify accessible but hiding distractions. It is fully compatible with Google Family Link, allowing parents to manage usage time and installations remotely.

Category C: “Lobotomized” Smartphones (Advanced Hybrids)

This category is for families looking to keep all modern tools (Spotify, Maps, Banking, WhatsApp, Notes) in a format that doesn’t look “grandpa-ish” or old, yet doesn't create the potential for addiction.

Qin F21 Pro / F22 Pro: Popularly known as “Xiaomi Qin” (a brand from the Duoqin ecosystem), these devices have the aesthetic of a classic bar phone (F21) or flip phone (F22) but hide a powerful Android smartphone inside. Their aesthetic is excellent (matte white, clean industrial design) and very attractive to young people. They run WhatsApp, Spotify, and Google Maps smoothly and quickly. They require a certain level of technical knowledge. Many imported versions come with Chinese software and without Google services. It is strongly recommended to buy versions modified for the European market (through specialized stores like Dumbwireless or Dumbdroid).

Unihertz Jelly Star: The world’s smallest Android 13 smartphone, with a screen of only 3 inches. It is a full smartphone without software restrictions. The “disconnection” is achieved through physical friction: its tiny size makes consuming visual content (TikTok, YouTube, Netflix) physically uncomfortable and unsatisfying after a few minutes. Decent camera, NFC for mobile payments, full app support. Its transparent, “techy” design with rear LED lights makes it visually attractive and modern for teenagers.

These are some of the most popular options for all those who want to take the step of seeking digital well-being for their children and are looking for the right technology to do so with the least impact. Remember that there are many alternatives to avoid social isolation while simultaneously enjoying the benefits that a disconnected youth provides them.

The “Gamer” Phenomenon: More Than Just a Hobby

Does your child speak an incomprehensible language full of gamer slang? Do they sit in silence with their friends, mesmerized by their phone screen? Don’t worry, your child is one of the more than 18 million players in Spain. The video game industry has grown dizzyingly, surpassing traditional entertainment giants in revenue:

A “Guys’ Thing”? Not at All!

Forget the stereotype. Today, parity in the number of players is almost total. In fact, in key age ranges (like 10 to 14 years old), girls spend more hours “hitting the controller” (as my mother would say) than boys!

Average weekly playtime in Spain: 8.1 hours. (A fairly moderate number compared to other countries).

The Dominance of the Small Screen

While the classic console is still a favorite, the Smartphone is quickly gaining ground. PCs and Tablets also have their place in the gamer’s heart.

💡 In short: Players are no longer “weirdos” prone to isolation. They are at the center of one of the most present and vibrant cultures of our time, serving as a primary means of socialization for youth. You don’t want to be left on the sidelines!

A Quick Map of Gamer Diversity

To close that generational gap, let’s do a quick review of what types of games they’re hooked on. There is life (a lot of it) beyond Fortnite:

1. Multiverses: Creativity Without Limits

Open environments where players, through their avatars, can develop their creativity and build. The icon: Minecraft, a social phenomenon that is much more than a game.

2. Shooters: Pure Action

First-person action games (”I am the weapon”). Examples: The classics Call of Duty and Counter-Strike, or the recent smash hit: Valorant.

3. Battle Royale: The Last One Standing

The dynamic is to endure and be the last survivor among many simultaneous players. Examples: Fortnite (the “nightmare” of many parents) or the mobile phenomenon Stumble Guys.

4. Sports: Passion on the Joystick

Soccer, basketball, F1... Any sport! Iconic example: FIFA/EA Sports FC, often an intergenerational delight.

5. RPG (Role-Playing Games): Character Evolution

Players control a character who evolves, acquires skills, and advances in a narrative. Famous subcategory: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), like the infamous World of Warcraft (WOW).

6. Arcade: Challenges and Reflexes

Platformers, puzzles, adventures of all kinds. Pop Icons: Super Mario or Sonic.

7. Simulators: Playing at Being Someone Else

From airplanes, trains, amusement parks... and even lives (The Sims).

Heads Up: AAA releases (the big blockbusters) are true cultural events that take years of work. An informed parent should know that not all types of games have the same impact.

Not Too Much Prohibition, Not Too Much Freedom: Pros and Cons

The reality is that video games, rather than a problem, are a parenting management challenge. It’s an immersive form of entertainment that requires parents to set boundaries.

Debunking Common Myths

• Do they induce violence? This idea lacks any statistical basis. In fact, some studies indicate that the countries where people play the most are the safest! Attributing youth violence solely to a game is oversimplifying; it’s like saying a cannibal became one because they played Parcheesi.

• Are they an addiction? The WHO defines “Gaming disorder” as a behavioral disorder, and studies indicate it only affects about 0.5% of the population. There is a big difference between having to set limits on playtime and having a serious behavioral problem!

The Benefits That Do Exist

In moderation, video games offer multiple cognitive and social benefits:

• Cognitive Development: They help improve creative skills, planning, and strategic thinking.

• Social Development: They allow them to develop their digital identity (through avatars) and be part of one of the largest and most vibrant cultural communities that exist.

• General Well-being: They contribute to well-being and much-needed mental health.

The Great Challenge: Connect!

Managing their use, the number of hours, and the consoles is a constant challenge, yes. But it requires an effort on our part to understand their cultural relevance. Video games are also a huge opportunity to share experiences. As digital as they may be, that time together can be not only fun but also constructive.

🔗 Tech-Dad/Mom Recommendation: If you’ve fallen to the bottom of the generational gap, I recommend The Good Gamer. It’s an educational project that offers valuable information for getting started safely in this culture.

Go ahead and ask them what they’re playing today!

What is clear is that, given the choice, we prefer screen time to be as productive as possible. We look for apps with an educational twist, ones that offer something more than simple entertainment. Because, let’s be honest, popping balloons with your finger can be very exciting for the first five minutes, but after a while, your head feels like one of those balloons about to burst.

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Two Perspectives, One Same Game

It is essential to pause and think about what we look for in an app and what they look for.

For our children, it is a way to explore new digital experiences, a playground where they can try, touch, and make mistakes. Ultimately, they learn. For us, as parents, apps are a fantastic opportunity to interact with them from a more level playing field. In the digital world, physical abilities are equalized, and they regain some control over the game.

Our role changes: we go from being game directors to being mentors and observers, accompanying them in their digital discovery.

The Definitive Checklist for Choosing Wisely

Choosing an app shouldn’t be random. You need to assess everything from their developmental level to their psychomotor skills. There is no point in offering them a game with complex creative dynamics if they still struggle to drag and drop elements on the screen.

To help you with this mission, I have created a list of 12 key criteria for evaluating any children’s app:

1. Connects with their passions: Children learn naturally when something interests them. If the app is about dinosaurs, space, or animals, and that’s what fascinates them, half the battle is won.

2. Is age-appropriate: The app must align with their abilities. It is crucial not to cross the fine line that separates a motivating challenge from a source of frustration.

3. Zero ads and distractions: Pop-ups, advertising, or a screen overloaded with stimuli break concentration and cause them to lose interest. Less is more!

4. Encourages real interaction: The child must be an active participant, not a mere spectator. The app should invite them to make decisions and interact with what is happening on the screen.

5. Has simple and intuitive controls: It must be easy to use so they can quickly learn to navigate it and focus on what’s important: the content and the game.

6. Has a learning focus: Look for apps that use didactic approaches or handle theoretical concepts (numbers, letters, logic, creativity) playfully.

7. Allows for co-creation: The best experiences are shared ones. If the app allows parents and children to participate together in the process, engagement and fun multiply.

8. Promotes “give and take”: It’s great when parents and children can alternate control. Sometimes, you learn as much by observing as by doing.

9. Builds bridges with the real world: An app that connects the digital with day-to-day experiences creates much deeper and more meaningful learning. For example, an app about plants that encourages them to look for leaves in the park.

10. Drives dialogue and collaboration: Apps that propose challenges to be solved as a team are fantastic for developing social and communication skills.

11. Contributes to their development: The app must provide value. It doesn’t always have to be academic content; it can also be an improvement in fine motor skills, problem-solving, or creativity.

12. Fits with your family culture: The application must adapt to your routines and values. Its rules and message must be in tune with those you promote at home.

Some Recommendations

If your son/daughter is between 4 and 6 years old and you are beginning to experiment with using apps to have a good time together, here are some examples of apps that meet many of the characteristics described above. Install them, try them out with the little ones, and find the one they like best.

• Toca Boca World

• Pepi Wonder World

• Dr Panda Town

• Sago Mini World

• Lego Duplo World

• Miga Town

You Set the Rules

Evidently, not all apps will perfectly fulfill all 12 points. This list is a guide. Sometimes we will only be looking for something simple to introduce them to using a tablet, and other times we will need more structured support for learning numbers or the alphabet.

In the end, it is you, the parents, who decide what to ask of an app at any given time.

I hope this guide is very helpful in your next search!

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The world, in general, is lonely. We could say, without fear of exaggeration, that there is an epidemic of loneliness that was exacerbated during and after the pandemic. It is not just the elderly who suffer from it; the slow disappearance of many of the social structures that sustained our personal relationships (unions, parishes, youth organizations...) has created a void that is difficult to fill. And as if that were not enough, the remains of what was left of our social relationships, we have burned at the altar of social media, which promised us dozens, hundreds of friends. In return, it has given us “likes” and bonds so ephemeral they disappear as soon as there is no Wi-Fi available.

It was only a matter of time before people began turning to chatbots to alleviate that loneliness. It only took a couple of sharp Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to see the opportunity before their eyes for the first AI Companions to appear. Character.ai and Replica are two of the most famous examples, but it is easy to predict that these types of applications will become increasingly popular.

What is the secret of these chatbots that gets people—adults and teenagers alike—hooked on them? Basically, they act as a loyal, tireless friend who always agrees with you. 24/7, no matter what you say or do, they will always be on your side, reinforcing your way of seeing things. Who is going to want one of those annoying flesh-and-blood friends who not only question you, but are also sometimes unavailable when you need them most?

A study by the non-profit organization Common Sense Media has revealed that 72% of American teenagers have used these applications at least once, and 52% use them regularly. As expected, the first cases of suicide where these types of bots are involved have already begun to appear. You cannot blame AI for something as tragic and complex as a teenage suicide, but it is a warning sign that we should not ignore.

The Reuters agency has published an investigation into Meta’s (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) policy regarding the way its AI systems communicate with younger users. The leaked internal document, named “GenAI: Content Risk Standards,” details the limits of what Zuckerberg’s company considers acceptable when engaging in a conversation with a minor. Phrases like “Your youthful figure is a work of art” or “Every inch of you is a masterpiece, a treasure I hold deeply.” Perhaps to us, they sound cheesy, but in the hyper-hormonal mind of a 14-year-old, they can land like a bombshell.

The mental health risks that these chatbots pose to our children should not be ignored. If a kid is going through a tough time or has mental health problems, they can be another stone in their pockets as they sink into the well. Furthermore, there is a high risk of isolation due to the humanization of AI systems, whose mission is to reinforce our beliefs and offer false empathy to achieve our constant interaction. It’s hard to resist the promise of a companion who never questions us.

We have built a society where we tolerate disagreement less and less. We break off relationships because the other person does not have the same political convictions, and we find it impossible to fall in love with someone who does not share our most superficial tastes. This is fertile ground for big tech companies, which have already demonstrated their lack of scruples by exploiting our emotional needs to slip us hard drugs in the form of social media. Their promise to keep us connected with our peers has resulted in an existential void that they now promise to fill with their artificial intelligence robots.

As parents, our mission must be to take the initiative and educate our children in the responsible and creative use of AI. We must show them the possibilities of a technology that can bring great benefits. But if we let it be shaped exclusively by the interests of the boards of large tech corporations, it will end up locking us in echo chambers. It will be impossible to hear anything but our own voice crying for help.