Avery Gonzales - College Student and Advocate for Low-Screen Living

In this episode, Kathleen Barlow speaks with Avery Gonzales, a Utah Valley University student and advocate for cutting back on digital technology, about her personal journey navigating technology, social media, and intentional disconnection. Avery shares how growing up in a close-knit Utah community shaped her childhood, how she experienced the gradual introduction of smartphones and social media, and why she eventually chose to remove certain platforms from her life. The conversation explores how digital habits affect friendships, attention, and mental health (especially for Gen Z) and how Avery is actively working to build healthier boundaries with technology, including using a device called “The Brick” to block distracting apps.