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"I hadn’t realized how much they affect brain development and mental health": This mom is on a mission to keep kids smartphone-free

“I hadn’t realized how much they affect brain development and mental health”: This mom is on a mission to keep kids smartphone-free

So far, she’s persuaded 95 families at her kids’ primary school to hold off until high school

“We don’t need to be hooked up to a digital drip feed of violence to do something about it”: Why this activist is taking the fight offline

“We don’t need to be hooked up to a digital drip feed of violence to do something about it”: Why this activist is taking the fight offline

She created the Very Offline Club as a way to counter Big Tech’s chokehold

“Some of my friends are on their phones most of the time. It’s disturbing”: Why this 13-year-old is in no rush for a phone of her own

“Some of my friends are on their phones most of the time. It’s disturbing”: Why this 13-year-old is in no rush for a phone of her own

She’s one of only three kids in her Grade 8 class without one

“Smartphones give predators 24/7 access to your child”: This former Crown attorney left the law to focus on keeping kids safe online

“Smartphones give predators 24/7 access to your child”: This former Crown attorney left the law to focus on keeping kids safe online

So far, she’s founded Raising Awareness Against Digital Dangers, published a parenting handbook, visited schools across North America and spoken to the WHO. And she’s just getting started

"I was constantly distracted, tired, and mad at myself and my device": Why this tech worker started a series of phone-free socials

“I was constantly distracted, tired, and mad at myself and my device”: Why this tech worker started a series of phone-free socials

Burnt out from terminal scrolling, he co-founded Unplugged, a mini digital detox to promote phone-free socializing

Inside the Latest Issue

The July issue of Toronto Life features a behind-the-curtain look at the insatiable political ambitions of Doug Ford. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.

“After dropping my smartphone in a lake, I switched to a flip phone and never looked back”

“After dropping my smartphone in a lake, I switched to a flip phone and never looked back”

He’s been without a smartphone for a year. When he wants to connect with someone, he phones them the old fashioned way

Dumb and Dumber: Assessing the most popular smartphone alternatives on the market

Dumb and Dumber: Assessing the most popular smartphone alternatives on the market

Including two flip phones, two e-ink screens, one that could pass for a calculator, one by a beer company and one that comes pre-loaded with Jewish prayer apps

The rise and fall of smartphones: a brief history of key moments

The rise and fall of smartphones: a brief history of key moments

From the first brick-sized IBM model in 1994 to the explosive 2024 bestseller that blamed Big Tech for rewiring kids’ brains

"Someone deep in a TikTok session is not that different from someone under hypnosis": A psychologist on how to counter smartphone addiction

“Someone deep in a TikTok session is not that different from someone under hypnosis”: A psychologist on how to counter smartphone addiction

This postdoctoral fellow at U of T is studying how our phones are melting our minds

Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin and others were in town this weekend for a celebrity basketball bash

Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin and others were in town this weekend for a celebrity basketball bash

They were joined by two-time NBA champion and former Raptor Matt Bonner

Doug Ford has hit another roadblock in his battle against bike lanes

Doug Ford has hit another roadblock in his battle against bike lanes

Is the premier just spinning his wheels?

The city may spend $350,000 a year on rat czars

The city may spend $350,000 a year on rat czars

As rodent populations boom due to construction and climate change, Toronto comes closer to hiring two white-collar rat enforcers

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

I’m paying the same exorbitant ticket prices as everyone else, but lately I’ve been getting harassed for blocking the view because of my height. How should I respond?

Kiss and Tell: "My podiatrist co-worker turned out to have a foot fetish"

Kiss and Tell: “My podiatrist co-worker turned out to have a foot fetish”

Kelly, a 33-year-old receptionist at a health clinic, thought the staff podiatrist was just being friendly when he offered her some free sessions. Then the candles came out

Here's what's happening at YZD, the site of the former Downsview Airport

Here’s what’s happening at YZD, the site of the former Downsview Airport

From weekly farmers’ markets to street festivals on the Runway, YZD’s summer lineup at the former Downsview Airport promises a season of free community and family fun

Created forNorthcrest Developments

Fall in love at the Samsung Sweetheart Villa at Stackt market

Fall in love at the Samsung Sweetheart Villa at Stackt market

Running from June 21 to July 6, Samsung’s pop-up tasks guests on a quest for love with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge as their sidekick

Created forSamsung

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

"I'm hoping to retire in my late 50s"

Celebrate Canadian artists at the 2025 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

Celebrate Canadian artists at the 2025 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

The 64th-annual event features more home-grown talent than ever before

Created forToronto Outdoor Art Fair

Who's to blame for Masai Ujiri's ousting?

Who’s to blame for Masai Ujiri’s ousting?

Spicy theories swirling around the Raptors president’s sudden departure

Editor’s Letter: The metamorphosis of Doug Ford

Editor’s Letter: The metamorphosis of Doug Ford

Lately, we’ve witnessed yet another stage in the evolution of Ontario’s premier: international statesman

Plan the ideal staycation right in the heart of Toronto

Plan the ideal staycation right in the heart of Toronto

From the city’s finest culinary offerings to luxurious hotel options, here’s how you can cap off the perfect patio night with a comfy stay in Bloor-Yorkville

Created forBloor-Yorkville BIA

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is our hometown NBA hero

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is our hometown NBA hero

A Toronto-born, Hamilton-raised MVP is the win we need

"Can I cool off in that children's splash pad?" Your heat wave questions, answered

“Can I cool off in that children’s splash pad?" Your heat wave questions, answered

Ditch the pool, find a ravine and don’t be afraid to lose your shirt

The Ontario Resort and Getaway Guide 2025

The Ontario Resort and Getaway Guide 2025

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a full family adventure, our collection of Ontario’s top resorts and destinations has you covered

Cost of Living

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

"I'm hoping to retire in my late 50s"

This painter and restaurant host makes $56,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This painter and restaurant host makes $56,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“I’m saving up for a visit to Kenya to connect with my roots”

This piano teacher and wedding musician makes $170,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This piano teacher and wedding musician makes $170,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“Loblaws is ridiculously expensive. I avoid it completely”

This Corktown couple makes $140,000 a year. How do they spend it?

This Corktown couple makes $140,000 a year. How do they spend it?

“We used to spend $2,500 a year on Uber Eats. Now it’s zero”

This content creator makes $130,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This content creator makes $130,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“Last year, I didn’t use the subway once. I prefer Uber”

This business analyst makes $103,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This business analyst makes $103,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“I spent $300 on plants last year”

This filmmaker makes $150,000 a year. How does he spend it?

This filmmaker makes $150,000 a year. How does he spend it?

“Since moving downtown, I pay more for rent but less for gas, so it evens out”

Urban Diplomat

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

I’m paying the same exorbitant ticket prices as everyone else, but lately I’ve been getting harassed for blocking the view because of my height. How should I respond?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My straight friend is having her bachelorette party in the Village

Dear Urban Diplomat: My straight friend is having her bachelorette party in the Village

It promises to be a painfully heterosexual event, and I hate that queer spaces are becoming venues for straight people to gawk while they party. Should I refuse to attend?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend signed up for a trendy fitness club, and it’s bleeding him dry

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend signed up for a trendy fitness club, and it’s bleeding him dry

I’m afraid he’s going to go broke buying expensive classes so he can ogle their gorgeous instructors. Should I intervene?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My US-based sister is using Elbows Up as an excuse to avoid visiting

Dear Urban Diplomat: My US-based sister is using Elbows Up as an excuse to avoid visiting

She says she’s worried about getting hassled for her New York licence plates and won’t even cross the border for my wedding. How delusional is she?

Dear Urban Diplomat: The pickleball court next door is driving us up the wall

Dear Urban Diplomat: The pickleball court next door is driving us up the wall

The constant thwacking is maddening. Short of heading down there and snapping some paddles, what can we do?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend shamed me for buying US products. Then I caught him pouring Jack Daniel’s into a Wiser’s bottle

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend shamed me for buying US products. Then I caught him pouring Jack Daniel’s into a Wiser’s bottle

He keeps criticizing me for keeping my Netflix subscription. Should I call him out on his hypocrisy?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends rented a Cybertruck for our cross-Canada road trip

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends rented a Cybertruck for our cross-Canada road trip

Even before the trade war and the Tesla founder’s unholy alliance with Donald Trump, I’d have been mortified to be seen in one of Elon Musk’s hulking metallic lemons. How should I break it to my friends?