Is Tech Making Our Kids Sick? Why Technology May be Dangerous.
Review key takeaways from the “Make Our Children Healthy Again” 2025 MAHA report every parent needs to know.
It’s no secret that modern childhood is under pressure, and it looks a lot different than what it did 20, 10, 15, or even 5 years ago.
In fact, according to the newly released Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) Report, our kids are navigating an environment shaped by invisible forces. This includes electromagnetic radiation, excessive screen time, social media exposure, and digital addiction.
Understandably, while technology can be exciting, it’s taking a toll on their sleep, development, and mental health. The MAHA Report, issued by a high-level federal commissions, calls for urgent attention to how technology is reshaping youth health.
As parents, educators, and caregivers, this is a wake-up call we can’t afford to ignore. According to the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, “Technology is reshaping childhood by displacing real-world interactions, disrupting sleep, and exposing children to new environmental risks (2025 MAHA Report).
EMF Exposure is a Risk
Our children are surrounded by wireless devices from the moment they wake up. This includes phones, iPads, laptops, smartwatches, Wi-Fi routers.
While convenient, the long-term health implications of this constant EMF (electromagnetic field) exposure are only starting to emerge.
The MAHA Report cites:
“Clear evidence” from the NIH’s National Toxicology Program showing DNA damage and increased cancer risk in animals exposed to EMF.
Studies linking mobile phone radiation to reduced sperm count and motility.
A 2022 review calling for more high-quality research on EMF impacts in children, whose developing brains and thinner skulls may be more vulnerable.
What can you do?
Utilize EMF-shielding cases on phones, tablets, and laptops
Keep devices off laps and away from beds
Turn off Wi-Fi routers overnight
Encourage speakerphone or wired earbuds during calls
Screen Time + Sleep Creates a Vicious Cycle
One of the clearest findings from the MAHA Report is how nighttime screen use disrupts children’s sleep. When you think of how melatonin reacts in the body, contributing to deep sleep, it is clear how this happens:
Melatonin production can be delayed by up to 1.5 hours due to screen light exposure
This leads to later bedtimes, poor-quality sleep, and ultimately worsens mood, concentration, and emotional regulation
The cycle often continues the next day with more screen use, less movement, and more stress
What Can Help:
Power down devices 1–2 hours before bed.
Keep screens out of the bedroom completely, especially phones and tablets.
Consider blue light filters if screens are used in the evening.
Replace phone alarms with physical alarm clocks.
Some of us remember slapping an alarm clock to turn it off in the morning. Why would we want to deprive our children of that experience?!
What the Data Says About Social Media & Mental Health
The MAHA Report highlights a strong, well-documented link between social media use and youth mental health decline. These findings discovered that:
Teens using social media 3+ hours daily face higher rates of anxiety and depression.
A 2022 meta-analysis found a 13% increase in depressive symptoms for each extra hour spent on social platforms.
Internal research from major social media companies showed platforms like Instagram worsened body image for 1 in 3 teen girls.
Take Control:
Set limits on social media time for your children, adolescents, or teens (1 hour/day).
Talk openly about mental health and social pressures with your children.
Model healthy tech habits as a parent.
Power down all devices
Remove screens from bedrooms
Use blue light filters
Swap phone alarms for traditional alarm clocks
Being Chronically Online is a Public Health Concern
Being “chronically online” has evolved from a meme into a legitimate mental health concern. According to the MAHA Report, spending excessive time in the digital world is strongly linked to issues like insomnia, low self-esteem, and feelings of loneliness.
It can also lead to a decrease in physical activity and meaningful real-world interactions. In more severe cases, it’s associated with a higher risk of developing eating disorders, emotional disconnection, and chronic stress.
To counter these effects, it’s important to intentionally incorporate healthier habits into daily life. Scheduling regular time outdoors, whether for a walk, a picnic, or simply fresh air, can offer a natural reset. Engaging in tech-free activities such as board games, painting, reading, or cooking helps to stimulate the brain without a screen.
It’s also beneficial to set boundaries by creating screen-free zones in spaces
Big Tech & the Erosion of Parental Oversight
One of the most surprising MAHA Report findings is the extent to which technology companies influence what children see. The decrease of parental oversight in this area is also both shocking and alarming.
During the COVID pandemic, platforms were urged to suppress certain health content relating to technology.
Court cases revealed in-app purchases and data collection from kids without parental approval.
Hidden algorithms shape what content kids are exposed to, and often without transparency.
What you can do as a parent:
You can use robust parental controls and monitoring tools. This way, you know exactly what your children are viewing and when. We recommend that you choose technology products and platforms that value privacy and transparency.
Furthermore, when optional, you can advocate for ethical design standards regarding technology for children.
Free Downloadable Parent Checklist from the MAHA Report
To help busy families take action, we created a comprehensive, one-page “Is Tech Making Our Kids Sick?” checklist based on the MAHA Report’s most important takeaways.
- EMF-reducing habits
Screen time boundaries
Mental health watch signs
Digital wellness tools
Print it. Post it on the fridge. Review it. Share it with a friend!
Strike A Balance, Not Fear
Technology isn’t going away, and we wouldn’t necessarily want it to. However that doesn’t mean we’re powerless or have to accept it during every moment of our lives. Like most things in life, technology is best in moderation.
By staying informed and taking practical steps, families can thrive in the digital world without sacrificing our health, connection, or peace of mind. Here at SafeSleeve , we believe in empowering families with EMF-shielding solutions.
We also provide education and tools that help create a safer, more balanced relationship with tech.Let’s make intentional tech habits the new standard, and help protect our children from the hidden costs of constant connectivity.
