BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Meet Blaire: the New American Girl Doll Who Has a Serious Screen Time Problem

American Girl hopes its Girl of the Year will help kids find a healthy balance between tech time and real time with friends.
save article
profile picture of Stephanie Grassullo
By Stephanie Grassullo, Contributing Writer
Published January 4, 2019
latest american girl doll, blaire who has a phone addiction problem
Image: Courtesy American Girl Doll

American Girl’s 2019 Girl of the Year doll proves the beloved company is still just as relevant as ever.

Blaire is a young aspiring chef who enjoys bringing people together at her family’s upstate New York sustainable farm and bed-and-breakfast. While every kid may not be able to relate to the little girl’s experience working on the farm, many youngsters can relate to her constant struggle to find a happy medium between screen time and real life.

The little girl loves to find new things online, but needs to learn how to balance her tech time and real time with friends. American Girl wanted to honestly depict this modern-day problem so kids who play with the doll and read her story develop takeaways they can apply to themselves. In order to do so, they turned to medical experts with experience promoting healthy online experiences for kids.

Instilling a digital balance in kids is more important than ever. The American Academy of Pediatrics has firm screen time guidelines for babies and kids of every age, but families often struggle to get their little ones to live by these standards. Recent studies have shown how too much screen time is hurting kids’ brains, may lead to obesity and may even be the cause of speech delays in babies. All that in mind, hopefully kids will learn from Blaire and her experiences navigating the digital and real world.

Another defining detail about Blaire is she was recently diagnosed with a food sensitivity and, like other kids in her shoes, feels pretty self-conscious about it. Expressing herself through cooking and sharing her creations with others helps her find her confidence.

In celebration of Blaire’s arrival, American Girl stores will be hosting The Blaire Family Dinner series, a fun opportunity for families to grow closer through food and conversation. Click here to find a location near you.

“Building and maintaining supportive relationships with family and friends is central to Blaire’s story—a message we think is important to champion among girls today,” Julia Prohaska, vice president of marketing for American Girl, tells TODAY. "In an age where families are often striving for quality time together, we hope Blaire inspires everyone to make a New Year’s resolution to connect more regularly with the important people in their lives and make their time together this year really count.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Martha Stewart, Dr. Aliza Pressman and Drew Barrymore attend Dr. Aliza Pressman's "5 Principles Of Parenting" NYC book launch party on January 17, 2024 in New York City
Drew Barrymore’s Best Advice for Parenting Kids With Big Feelings
By Wyndi Kappes
crying three year old wearing pink towel and holding baby doll at home
How to Handle Your Emotional Threenager
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
happy little girl and her dad playing with musical instruments
7 Ways to Help Your Kids Develop Good Mental Health
By Lisa Milbrand
ADVERTISEMENT
father holding and looking at baby
When Will Baby's Personality Emerge?
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
father singing and playing guitar for baby
Singing for Success: Lullabies Can Help Baby With Emotional Regulation
By Wyndi Kappes
actor channing tatum releases a children's book called sparkella
Channing Tatum Talks Parenting and the Release of His New Kids Book
By Wyndi Kappes
Ukrainian flag with the The coat of arms of the city, Lviv, Ukraine
These Ukrainian Teachers Are Fighting the War From Within the Classroom
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
young girl looking up
Black Girls Experience Hair Discrimination as Early as Age 5, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
close up of pug's tail and lower legs on bed
TikTok Star Noodle the Pug Is Starring in a New Children’s Book
By Nehal Aggarwal
American Girl Debuts First Asian American “Girl of the Year” Doll
American Girl Debuts First Asian American “Girl of the Year” Doll
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
dad helps young daughter on the monkey bars at the playground
5 Phrases You Should Never Say to Your Kids, According to a Psychotherapist
By Stephanie Grassullo
baby listening to music with headphones
The Age Where Parents Shape Their Kids' Taste in Music the Most
By Stephanie Grassullo
Newly born baby's feet at the hospital.
AMA Recommends Birth Certificates Stop Publicly Listing Baby’s Sex
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Disney's new Latin princess, Princess of Avalor.
Princess Culture Can Help Kids’ Development Over Time, New Study Finds
By Nehal Aggarwal
Man Enough author, Justin Baldoni with his wife and two kids.
How Justin Baldoni Is Raising His Kids to Challenge Gender Norms
By Lauren Kay
Little girl holds her mom's hand as they walk outside.
How This Screen-Free Kids’ Brand Is Promoting Mindfulness in Young Kids
By Nehal Aggarwal
sesame street monster halloween celebrity special
Celebrate Halloween With a Star-Studded Sesame Street Special
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
worried child looking out the window and holding a basketball
The Pandemic Is Taking a Toll on Kids’ Mental Health, Survey Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
toddler boy brings halloween skeleton with him everywhere
Meet the 2-Year-Old Who Found a New Best Friend in Benny, the Skeleton
By Nehal Aggarwal
memorial mural of actor chadwick bosemand at disneyland
Disneyland Unveils Beautiful Mural Tribute to Chadwick Boseman
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.