Sowmyanarayan Sampath, the Executive Vice President and CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, believes there is “no conflict at all” in leading a digital communication enterprise while also advocating for reduced smartphone usage. While he views smartphones as one of humanity’s most significant inventions, he emphasizes their role in enhancing knowledge, connection, safety, and enjoyment. As a father of two boys, aged 12 and 15, Sampath approaches technology with a balanced perspective. He initially provided smartphones to his sons around age ten to facilitate communication as they became more independent.
However, he is intentional about preventing technology from overpowering their lives. He and his wife have set clear guidelines around phone usage, instilling a sense of balance without imposing strict restrictions. They delayed social media access until their sons turned 13 and actively encourage phone-free time for other activities. To make unplugging from devices more appealing, Sampath prioritizes enjoyable offline experiences, including family activities such as watching sports and enjoying ice cream.
They maintain specific household rules: no phones at the kitchen table during meals and no devices in the bedroom at night. Initially, phones had to be placed on the counter during meals, but his sons have since internalized this practice. The family also decided to charge their devices outside of the bedroom after realizing how late-night usage impacted their sleep. On weekends, Sampath is even more deliberate in minimizing screen time by not checking his phone until noon to prioritize quality family time.
Trusting his team to manage urgent matters allows him to focus on his family during these hours. The family utilizes the Verizon Family app to monitor phone usage and promote self-regulation rather than applying rigid time limits. By showing his sons their screen time data, he encourages them to find balance through alternative activities. While they appreciate video calls to keep in touch with relatives, Sampath acknowledges that smartphones can also provide an escape during stressful times.
Interestingly, he recently launched initiatives aimed at fostering healthy digital habits and encouraging children to “put the phones down from time to time.”