Attorney Cites the Benefits of Stronger Parent/Teen Connections, and
Breaking the Habit of Recording “Risky” Behaviors Online
SOUTHPORT, Conn.—March 3, 2025—This year’s Global Day of Unplugging®, observed March 7-8, is especially meaningful to Southport, Conn. youth lawyer Alexander (Alex) Schwartz, who is encouraging families to embrace it.
“As a father, I love the purpose of this day, which is to highlight the importance of human connections to ourselves, our families, and our community. In addition, as a lawyer who frequently represents youths in trouble with schools or the law, I often find that when kids are in trouble, their online postings almost always worsen the consequences of their actions,” he noted.
It’s challenging, though, to separate minors from their devices. According to Pew Research Center, close to half of teens are online “almost constantly”. Just over 50% of children who are eight or younger “have their own mobile device”, according to Common Sense Media.
Once these devices become foundational to the way kids live, normal inhibitions may evaporate, Schwartz said—allowing them to think their online acts will have no consequences.
Consider, for instance, when tweens or teens share records of their misdeeds online, on social media, or through their phones. Once their “mischief”—which could be criminal—is out in the open, police and schools, who monitor chatrooms, have no choice but to act. These actions can range from a stern talking-to up to an arrest.
The consequences of this public misbehavior can follow children for decades. As Mr. Schwartz noted: “No-one wants to spend the rest of their life wondering if the mailman or grocery store bagger has seen an embarrassing photo from their teen years on the Internet.”
Global Unplugged Day, he said, can be a time to help kids embrace alternatives to an always-on lifestyle, foster stronger family connections and friendships, and perhaps even think twice about acting without thinking—not to mention making their misdeeds publicly accessible.
Mr. Schwartz, who is licensed in Connecticut and New York, is pleased to provide more information and can be reached at 203-255-9829 or [email protected].
About Alex Schwartz, Attorney at Law
Attorney Alexander (Alex) Schwartz has over 40 years’ experience as a trial lawyer in state and federal courts throughout Connecticut and Greater New York. He has helped countless minors and their families get through difficult situations with compassion and patience. In addition to youth law, Mr. Schwartz’s practice areas include personal injury, divorce, state and federal criminal defense, and commercial litigation in state and federal courts. For more information, see https://ahschwartz.com.