A few weeks earlier, we had been chatting as a family about our tech-life balance and seeing if we could have some non-screen time (NST) — albeit in units of hours rather than days. No screens before school, all mobiles on the landing at night, no calls at meal-times-type agreements.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea. What would life be like without the internet? Is it even possible any more? Many of us have become slaves to our smartphones. You can't get through a night out without at least nine Black-Berry-based interruptions. The commute is now an email catch-up opportunity. And I have friends who confess to checking their iPad updates before they say good morning to their wives. We are losing the tech-life balance.

At the same time, Ms. Carlock concedes a need to revisit her high-tech habits: "It is an addictive behavior," she said. "It’s a work-life balance. It’s also a tech-life balance."