As if the stress level for parents over their kids’ excessive screen time, social media dangers, and possible online porn exposure wasn’t enough, the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are now here to stay. As advice columns about internet filters, parental app controls, and online monitoring swirl across the public square at a dizzying rate, all parents must eventually confront the elephant in the room: the option to unplug their kids from screens.

While being a parent has been a difficult task for all of human history, a strong argument could be made that being one in today’s screen-saturated culture is perhaps harder than ever. The seduction of the flickering bright screen, projecting endless YouTube videos, video games, and endless social media scrolling and notifications is far too much stimulation for a young brain to resist. As parents understandably relent to screens in order to get things done around the house (or just to make it through a long road trip), parental consciences continue to wrestle with “how much is too much?”

Meanwhile, the existential dangers of overexposure have become all too real. Heartbreaking accounts of parents who have lost their children to suicide after being goaded into it by an AI chatbot are emerging. This threat is merely the latest in a plethora of hazards that social media represent, which have sucked minors into a dark abyss of self-loathing. In addition, there are the constant threats of cyberbullying from classmates, being abducted and sex trafficked by online predators, and, of course, being exposed to pornography, even on social media platforms.

But these extreme dangers are far from the only threats that devices with screens present for kids. Studies show that there are a host of negative health outcomes for children who are exposed to excessive screen time, including high rates of anxiety, depression, aggression, and hyperactivity, lower scores on language and thinking tests, lower educational achievement, increased risks of obesity and irregular sleep patterns, and decreased social skills as well as the ability to regulate emotions.

Surveys indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans know about how dangerous modern tech is for children and, at the very least, are demanding stronger laws to regulate emerging threats like AI chatbots. A recent Institute for Family Studies and YouGov poll of 2,000 voting-age Americans found that nine in 10 think that tech companies should be prohibited from releasing AI chatbots that engage in sexual conversations with minors.

While new laws that restrict AI chatbots could be a good starting point for lowering the online threat level for children, the reality is that it’s going to take a lot more than a handful of government regulations to turn the tide on kids’ screen addiction. Studies have found that the average amount of screen time that children are exposed to far exceeds official guidelines from health experts, with the average exposure of 0-2 year-olds one to 2.5 hours per day, 2-5 year-olds 1.5 to three hours, 5-8 year-olds over three hours, and 8-18 year-olds an almost unimaginable 7.5 to nine hours.

Some experts like Chris McKenna (founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes) recommend every home have at least “five layers of digital protection,” including using router filters, time controls, VPN blockers, constant device monitoring, parental app controls, and more. While these measures certainly have their place, I (as a parent of small children) would recommend a far less stressful and streamlined approach: unplug your children from screens. Here’s a two-step approach.

1. No Personal Smartphones or iPads

Understand me: I’m not saying your kids should never use technology or watch anything on a screen — that would not be living in the real world. Family movie nights, the occasional one or two episodes of a streamed kids show while you prepare a meal, letting your kid watch a sports highlight or family home video on your phone, etc. are all examples.

But in order to free your life from the constant stress of worrying about what your child is being exposed to on a smartphone or from having to monitor their phone usage, the choice is clear: don’t give your child an internet-connected device that they can use on their own.

That said, there will certainly come a time in the teenage years when your child may need a phone to contact you or others from school, work, practices, or other places before they fly the coop. This is where “dumb phones” come in — phones that only have basic features like calling, texting, maps, and more and are not capable of open-ended web browsing or social media. There are many “dumb phone” options available.

2. Use Audio instead of Screens

Still, parents of young children (especially) need constructive activities for them to do on their own. This is where audio devices like the Yoto come in. These simple devices can be used to play kids audiobooks, music, and other audio-based entertainment via digital plastic cards that can be easily inserted into the devices. The key with these devices is that there are no screens for children to get addicted to. Public libraries also now offer Wonderbooks, which are picture books that have digital audio components attached to them that allow children to listen to the story while turning the pages.

Studies in fact show that audio stories (as opposed to passive screen viewing) are uniquely beneficial for the development of children’s brains. They help develop their listening skills and focus, increase language and vocabulary, help to activate imagination and creativity, improve reading comprehension, and help foster independent learning.

In today’s ever-changing and dangerous online climate, parents should consider giving a gift to their kids that will keep on giving: a childhood largely free of screens and full of innocence.