DefenderShield Featured on Observer News for CEO and COO’s Reading Session of New Children’s Book: “Henry’s Tech-Free Trip: A Family Adventure”

Last Updated on January 10, 2024

In a recent article published by Observer News, DefenderShield’s CEO and COO, Kylen Ribeiro and Michelle Zofrea, took center stage as they shared their latest venture—a children’s book titled “Henry’s Tech-Free Trip: A Family Adventure.” The article shed light on the inspiration behind the book and its mission to raise awareness about the potential effects of technology on children.

Kylen Ribeiro, a Riverview mother and DefenderShield CEO, co-wrote the book with her Co-Executive / COO Michelle Zofrea. The narrative revolves around a young boy named Henry, captivated by his tablet, who learns to navigate a family camping trip designated as technology-free. The storyline draws from Ribeiro’s personal experiences with her 7-year-old son Vincent, emphasizing the challenges of managing electronic device usage among children.

The authors highlighted the vulnerability of children to the impacts of electronics, citing smaller and developing bodies with more conductive tissue. They pointed out that overexposure to technology could adversely affect children’s attention span, mood, memory, and focus. Zofrea emphasized the potential long-term consequences, such as increased anxiety, irritability, ADHD exacerbation, elevated cortisol levels, and chronic inflammation leading to various forms of chronic disease.

“We’re not trying to scare kids [or their parents] in the book,” Ribeiro clarified. “We want children to recognize how they feel when they’re overexposed. We’re promoting digital wellness through the balanced use of technology.”

In a noteworthy event on November 30, Ribeiro and Zofrea had the opportunity to read “Henry’s Tech-Free Trip” to a group of 55 students, ages 6 to 12, at Riverview Montessori School at Rivercrest. The school’s owner, Rohini Rustogi, and executive director, Hitika Hira, expressed satisfaction with the positive impact the presentation had on the children.

“We want children to enjoy the simple pleasures in life without the constant use of technology,” Rustogi stated. The students, along with Vincent and the authors, engaged in a post-reading session, during which they could share comments and ask questions. To further support the cause, Ribeiro and Zofrea generously donated 60 copies of the book to the school.

DefenderShield’s commitment to promoting digital wellness and the balanced use of technology is evident not only in their innovative products but also in their active involvement in initiatives that advocate for healthier relationships with electronic devices, especially among the younger generation. The company proudly showcases this recent feature on its media page as part of its ongoing efforts to contribute to the awareness and well-being of children in the digital age.

About the authors
Kylen Ribeiro is CEO and Michelle Zofrea COO of DefenderShield, a company founded by Daniel T. DeBaun that makes products protecting people from the emissions of cell phones and other electronics, including Wi-Fi and 5G. These include Lightbody, the world’s first line of digital wellness supplements, and Ultra Armor, a line of privacy and security products designed to protect against digital hacking and tracking.