Oct 8, 2025
The key idea: we don’t just want kids away from screens — we want them toward spaces of fertile imagination.
Jonathan Haidt recently articulated a simple but powerful set of rules for managing screen time in homes: have hard limits, use parental controls, ensure screen-free zones, and embed non-screen activities deeply into family life. (CNBC, Oct 8, 2025)
These rules resonate, but at Burble we believe there’s a deeper frontier: not just “less tech”, but better tech — tools that spark imagination without numbing it. Below is how Burble’s approach can complement Haidt’s rules and help families reclaim space for creative growth.
Haidt’s Rules — and How Burble Extends Them
The key idea: we don’t just want kids away from screens — we want them toward spaces of fertile imagination.
Why Imagination Fights Screen Overload
Sensory bandwidth: Screens bombard vision and sound. Imaginative play using minimal cues — light, whispers, shadows — lets the brain fill in the gaps, exercising creativity rather than silencing it.
Cognitive rest: After exposure to high-stimulation media, the brain needs low-stimulus recovery. The StoryTent provides that calm transition instead of abruptly cutting off screens.
Interiority & agency: When children co-create their own narrative instead of consuming predetermined content, they practice decision-making and internal life skills.
Bridge, not barrier: Burble doesn’t hate screens. It says: pick your media wisely, then let atmospheric, sensory spaces sit beside — not compete with — the digital world.
Tips for Parents: Blending Haidt + Burble in Real Life
Set soft limits not just hard ones: e.g. “You get 30 mins of video, then 10 minutes in the StoryTent.”
Anchor transitions: After screen time, do a 2-minute “sensory reset” (dim lights, ambient hum, no text) before switching to books, chores, or play.
Offer choice inside limits: Let your child pick which non-screen ritual: tent story, drawing, nature walk.
Model imaginative breaks yourself: Use the StoryTent (or a quiet corner) yourself — a demonstration matters more than rules.
Iterate & listen: If tablet vs. tent time results in resistance, adjust duration, light levels, or script content.
Community & sharing: Gather ideas with other parents — swap tent stories, challenge prompts, or low-tech play rituals.