About Us
We are a parent-led movement on a mission to protect our children from the dangers of social media and using smartphones too young.
We are a growing movement of parents supporting each other in delaying access to smartphones and social media for our children. Coordinated via WhatsApp communities, Look Up Hong Kong is where parents can learn more about the issue, find other like-minded parents and support one another.
About Us
We are a parent-led movement on a mission to protect our children from the dangers of social media and using smartphones too young.
We are a growing movement of 1,000+ parents across 50 schools supporting each other in delaying access to smartphones and social media for our children. Coordinated via WhatsApp communities, Look Up Hong Kong is where parents can learn more about the issue, find other like-minded parents and support one another.
A Common Purpose
Observing the impact of smartphone free childhood movements across the world, a group of Hong Kong parents reached out to connect and wonder what positive change a similar movement would have for our kids in Hong Kong. And with that, Look Up Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s own smartphone free childhood movement was born.
In April 2024, we set up our WhatsApp group to build solidarity and support a community of parents in their efforts to take back control of when and how we introduce and manage smartphones in our children’s lives.
Over the months since, we’ve seen our community flourish with parents and educators from Hong Kong’s local and international schools. We’ve seen school groups set-up and parents leading the way with class pledges to hold off on buying smartphones for their kids. We’ve seen an outpouring of experiences and sharing of opinion that’s brought clarity on the priorities and direction of our movement.
Building Momentum for Change
The wave of support we’ve received from Hong Kong parents from every walk of life has only strengthened our conviction that childhood and smartphones simply shouldn’t mix.
We’re now more determined than ever to not only provide solidarity and support for parents navigating the issues tech brings to our lives, but also to use the voice of our community to bring change that empowers parents to do what they feel is right for their kids and their wellbeing in this digital age.
Dr Jonathan Haidt – the world’s leading voice in this space – has called this smartphone free childhood movement “the beginning of the global tipping point in the fight back against a phone-based childhood”.
We’ve only just begun…
Our Team
Hongkonger, husband, and comms consultant, Robert founded Look Up Hong Kong to build a collective voice to advocate for our children. He was kicked into action by a belief that “childhood ends when you give a child a smartphone”, and he is driven to engage schools, parents and other stakeholders to champion this movement and do better for our kids. You can find him running to the DB ferry or cheering on the sidelines at the rugby pitch. Let’s connect to hear more about how you can be part of our community.
A corporate Mum who is battling her own stark digital addiction, Anneliese believes in a collaborative approach to smartphone addiction. "Together, we are seeking tangible solutions to help bridge the gap and kick start conversations." A former journalist turned digital change lead, Anneliese can be found outside with her active family. She believes in fostering a sense of belonging, for ourselves and our children, through connection, kindness and a dose of sunshine.
As a lifelong educator, Amanda‘s first teaching role was to students (classroom size 70!) in rural China. Today, she is a Montessori mom who works for an online academic program for gifted high school students. Whilst technology offers amazing possibilities for young people, Amanda believes that developmentally appropriate formats and standards must be put into place to safeguard young children and teenagers from the dangers of using smart phones, screens, and social media. Books, the arts, and education continue to be her passion.
Al is very invested in giving his children the best pathway to a balanced and healthy childhood. He battles with smartphone use himself and so believes that meeting the problem at the roots is key.
Our Advisors
Ross is dad to two teenagers, Deputy Head of School at an international school in Hong Kong, and author of Screens That Eat Children, a non-fiction book on living, parenting and teaching in an age of digital devices. Ross is also the founder of Gibbon, an open source school platform, and the Free Learning pedagogy, which is the topic of an academic book published by Routledge. As a public speaker, Ross has presented at schools, companies, conferences and workshops around the world.
Charles is an expat doctor from the UK who has called Hong Kong home since 2014. He is a father to 2 young girls and treats children and young adults on a daily basis. He is passionate about keeping childhood free from social media and harmful technology, while promoting healthy habits and good relationships.
Jeannie is the Executive Director of Bring Me A Book Hong Kong, she is an advocate of parent-child bonding through family literacy. Jeannie believes in the need to reflect and model a mindful approach to device use for our next generation.
Vivian is a US-trained pediatrician, working in Hong Kong. She sees the mental and physical health effects of smartphone usage in children and teens in her practice: not only how it can interfere with healthy child development but also how it becomes an experience blocker — taking time away from being physically active, social, and getting quality sleep. Her experiences in the hospital and in her own home compel her to advocate for delaying and limiting smartphone use for developing minds.
Sara is a registered clinical psychologist with the Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists, a registered play therapist/supervisor (Association of Play Therapy, USA) and a board approved supervisor (Australian Board of Psychology). In her years of experience in Hong Kong, she has encountered many severe cases of problematic smartphone use in parents, children and young people leading to poor mental health outcomes and risks of child maltreatment. She continues to strive for a smartphone free childhood for her own child and other children.
Partners & Community
