We're not anti-tech.
We're pro-childhood.
Kids deserve a childhood that includes boredom, imagination, and offline connection. Not just because it's sweet, but because it's how they learn to self-soothe, make choices, and feel okay in their own skin.
If they don't get that? We're not just talking about a few more hours of screen time. We're talking about a generation that grows up wired for distraction, without the inner tools to think clearly, feel deeply, or stay present.
And that's not just a parenting issue. It's a cultural one.
Our Mission
To make collective action possible for parents — with the tools, language, and support to push back on tech's influence and rebuild what childhood should be.
The parenting trap we're all stuck in
You don't want to hand your kid a screen but it feels like everyone else already has. The school requires tech, the group chat never stops, and every time you consider setting a boundary, you worry: Will my kid be the only one left out?
Four Norms exists because you shouldn't have to carry that tension alone. And when the system takes too long to change, communities can — by aligning with a few others, setting shared norms, and shifting the culture from the ground up.
Meet our founder
A technologist, a dad, and a builder of better systems
Matt Pulley spent over two decades in the tech industry building platforms, leading teams, and thinking in systems. He saw firsthand how digital tools are designed not just to serve but to capture attention and shape behavior.
Later, as a stay-at-home dad raising two daughters, that understanding hit differently. He started asking deeper questions about what kids actually need to grow — emotionally, socially, developmentally — and what kind of world they're growing up in.
During his time leading the Screens in Schools group at Fairplay's Screen Time Action Network, Matt spoke with parents all over the country who were trying to push back — mostly without any support.
He kept thinking: Why is it that corporations get tools to help them coordinate and scale… but parents, volunteers, and grassroots groups are left to piece things together from scratch?
That's what led him to create Four Norms: a platform that brings structure, language, and real tools to the people trying to shift community norms from the ground up.
The principles behind Four Norms
Parents are exhausted by pressure, shame, and too many opinions, but not nearly enough real support. We built Four Norms around principles that support clarity, coordination, and calm, so you can stop spinning your wheels and start acting within your community.
Agency over algorithms.
Tech isn't neutral. We believe parents should have more say in the environment their kids grow up in.
Conversation over resignation.
Parents deserve to talk about this. With structure and without shame.
Community over comparison.
This isn't about doing it perfectly. It's about doing it together.
Action over overload.
We make it easier to move forward, even if you're starting with just one conversation.
Clarity over panic.
We don't lead with fear. We lead with context, coordination, and calm.
More about us
Who's behind Four Norms?
The platform was created by Matt Pulley, a longtime tech leader and parent who saw the misalignment between how digital tools work and the values kids, parents and families pursue. The platform is shaped by years of conversations with parents and informed by ongoing collaboration with leaders across the movement for healthier tech culture.
Is this a nonprofit or a business?
Four Norms is currently a self-funded project, with plans to incorporate as a public benefit company. We're building toward a sustainable model — one that centers impact, invites community support, and keeps the core tools accessible to all parents.
Do I have to pay to use it?
No. The Starter Toolkit and core organizing tools are free to parents. We're committed to keeping the essentials accessible as the platform grows.
Does this work for different parenting styles or age ranges?
Yes, and it matters at every stage. Whether you're raising a toddler or a teen, this isn't just a personal tech decision, it's a collective culture shift. Parents of young kids aren't exempt. What you model now shapes how your child will navigate tech later. And if you want your school or community to look different when they're older, the time to advocate is now.
Is this anti-tech?
Not at all. This is about giving parents the agency to shape the rules instead of letting Big Tech do it for them. We support intentional, developmentally-aware tech use and the cultural alignment that makes it easier for families to hold the line together.
How can I get in touch?
You can reach out anytime via our contact form or email us directly. Want to get involved right away? Visit our parent group locator to find a group near you or start one of your own.