We've organized parent gatherings in NYC, Westchester and Long Island and we're ready to help your community next.  We take care of everything - booking the venue, paying the speakers, making the invitation - all at no cost to your group.  Reach out and let's get a date on the calendar. Here’s a look at our past events and featured speakers.

EVENTS

  • Parents watch presentation from Tubby Hook Tavern booths

    Parents In The Crowd

  • woman listening to presentation in a restaurant's seat

    A Parent Shows Up

  • A man with a microphone addresses the crowd

    Dr. Joseph Richter, Pediatrician

  • A man with a microphone addresses a crowd of onlookers

    Dr. Joseph Richter, Pediatrican

  • A man in a hat addresses the crowd

    SmarterPhone's Tad Low

  • A powerpoint slide showing rates of depression among teen girls over a 10 year period.

    Stats From The CDC

  • A woman at a microphones takes a question from the crowd

    Sarah Gallagher Trombley, Digital Parenting Expert

  • A woman in red listens to the presentation

    A Parent In The Crowd

  • A table featuring a display of alternative digital devices

    The Alternative Digital Device Display

  • A sign promoting a community event

    Hold The Phone! & A Cocktail

  • the exterior of Tubby Hook Tavern in Washington Heights, NY

    Tubby Hook Tavern, Washington Heights, NYC

Bring Us To Your Community

A Parent Walk Into A Bar…

…and is met by many others - all with the same concerns. Check out what happened when we took over a local watering hole in Westchester, NY and brought in the experts.

14 Schools, 3 Speakers, 1 Room…Plus a Band

We were thrilled to welcome parents from 14 different schools to our first big event on NYC’s Upper East Side. Big thanks to our incredible speakers, Tom Kersting, John Kalapos & Dan Fox. See you at the next one!

Need help hosting an event for your community?

Reach out.

  • "I was connected to Tad Low from SmarterPhone through a fellow advocate and parent in a neighboring town. I couldn't believe that an organization existed that would come to my town and put on a presentation with experts in the field to provide education on the harms of excessive screen time and benefits of delaying smartphones. It was just what I was looking for but didn't have all the resources to do on my own! The presentation and Q+A went so well that I asked Tad to return for a second year. It really felt like a gift to have these resources available to me and my community, not to mention allowing parents to get together in a casual environment and openly discuss their thoughts and concerns while connecting with one another! Thank you, Tad!"

    —Yelena S. from Irvington

  • "My experience with SmarterPhones was a eye opening. Beginning with the ease with which the event was put together. There is a real partnership between the organizers. Tad, in particular, is very diligent getting speakers with the credentials to convey research in a manner that is simple to understand. After learning about the industries deceiving tactics to get children hooked on the phones, one of the mothers approached me to brainstorm activities, in Astoria, similar to Teen Without Screens. It was a great Hold the Phone and a cocktail event in Astoria, despite the rain."

    —Martha C. from Astoria

  • "Smarterphone has become the epicenter of the New York area's movement to rethink smartphones and explore healthier alternatives for families. Tad brings together an impressive roster of speakers, and families can get hands-on experience with a range of alternative phones that make the smartphone feel less inevitable. While the topic can be sobering, Tad's humor provides the perfect counterbalance. People leave feeling informed, empowered, energized, and just a little buzzed."

    —Nina Robbins/Analogkidsco.com

  • "Tad and SmarterPhone are the real deal. Tad and I collaborated to bring an engaging free community event to my town on Long Island, and I couldn't believe how much he did to make it happen for us. After a couple of phone conversations and a few emails back and forth, he had secured the local venue, expert speakers, and a even a tech run-through (I was onsite, he was on Zoom). My job was to bring the people. Tad came with a fully thought-out structure and direction, and was still generously receptive to -- and grateful for -- my input and edits. Including the event flyer I created, which became SmarterPhone's go-to flyer for events thereafter! I highly recommend bringing SmarterPhone to your community -- it's a NO BRAINER."

    -Jill S. from Plainview

  • "Thank you so much for coming to our Forest Hills community! Your event kicked off multiple movements at two different primary schools in Forest Hills. I spoke to at least one parent who went into your presentation thinking tech is 100% fine for his 6 year old but left with a completely 180 in thought. He now wants to join us to try to delay tech for his daughter until it is appropriate. Thank you for your beautifully done and persuasive presentation!"

    -Dina K. from Forest Hills

  • "SmarterPhone hosted an engaging and informative event for our Tweens Without Screens community in Inwood and Washington Heights. The speakers did an excellent job explaining the addictive design features of today's devices and shared practical tips for families navigating technology with their children. The event was thoughtful, practical, and well received by our community. Parents especially appreciated the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussion, and explore a variety of smartphone alternatives firsthand. We are grateful to SmarterPhone for sharing their expertise and helping families make more informed technology choices."

    -Adria from Washington Heights/Teens Without Screens

  • Image of Tom Kersting, author and psychotherapist

    Tom Kersting - Psychotherapist & Author

  • Image of John Kalapos, administrator at the Buxton School.

    John Kalapos - The Buxton School

  • Image of Dan Fox from the The Light Phone company.

    Dan Fox - Light Phone

  • People sitting at a table viewed through an open window in a restaurant or cafe.

    The Guthrie Inn

  • A group of people gathered in a cozy, brick-walled bar or restaurant. Some are standing, some are sitting, with one woman in the foreground holding a drink and a clipboard. The atmosphere appears informal and social, with ambient lighting and artwork on the walls.

    The Crowd

  • Image of Bucky Hayes at the lead of his band, Bucky Hayes and the Radio

    Bucky Hayes & The Radio

  • Person playing an acoustic guitar in a dimly lit environment with red and blue lighting.

    The Band

  • Six women sitting on a leather booth in a bar or restaurant, laughing and engaging in conversation, with drinks on a wooden barrel table in front of them, against a brick wall background.

    The Crowd

  • A woman in a patterned dress speaking to a group of people inside a room with brick walls and blue curtains.

    Q&A

A cocktail glass holding a smartphone with social media apps on the screen, garnished with an olive on a cocktail pick. Bright, festive background with blurred lights and party hats. Text overlay promoting a social media and smartphone seminar event.

We don’t just host events in bars, but can also help arrange informational gatherings in private homes. We’ll bring in relevant experts, show off alternative phones and lead a robust discussion among engaged parents.

Plus, it’s a really fun time.

Let us know if we can organize an event for your school community or parent group.