National Day of Unplugging is March 6th – 7th! Truth be told, we probably all spend too much time on our devices or technology, and need to limit our screen time. A day of unplugging will allow us to appreciate some of the more important moments throughout the day.
The National Day of Unplugging runs from March 6th – 7th from sundown to sundown, and is intended to be a 24 hour global respite from technology. But whatever amount of time you choose to unplug, it’s important to use that time to reconnect with nature, yourself, and your loved ones.
Screen Time Facts
Here are some interesting (and maybe a little surprising) facts about screens, technology, and how they affect ourselves, and our children:
- According to Internetmatters.org, children three to four years old, spend an average of 6 hours online a week. And 54% of the same age group have their very own devices.
- Children five to 16 years old spend an average of six and a half hours a day engaged with screens.
- YouTube is the most popular on-demand service, according to The Connected Kids report.
- Multi-screening has increased. We are using more than one device at the same time, by watching TV and surfing the internet on a tablet or mobile.
And here are 5 other shocking facts that you probably didn’t know about screen time.
With these facts, it seems obvious that too much screen time can have a negative effect on a child’s development. Here are some potential risks:
- Irregular sleep schedules and shorter duration of sleep. It actually takes us longer to fall asleep because of the blue light that we are exposed to from our devices.
- Increased obesity due to long periods of inactivity.
- Loss of social skills
- Violence
- Less time for play
- Negative effect on behaviour – either we’re checking our phones a million times a day, or our children are throwing tantrums because they want to watch one more episode of ‘baby shark’.
- Negative effect on development – research has shown that too much screen time can actually increase levels of anxiety. Not to mention how dependent we’ve become on using our devices, as evidenced by Google, GPS, and even Siri.
To offset some of these risks for our young children, the American Academy of Paediatrics recommends:
- No screen time for babies 18 months and under, unless it’s video chatting.
- Children 2 – 5 should only engage in 1 hour of screen use per day
- Children 6 and older should have restricted and monitored screen use
The National Day of Unplugging will give you an opportunity to switch off the screens, and get back to what’s important. Consider doing some of the following:
Ways to Switch of the Screens
- Play board games
- Do a scavenger hunt
- Cook together
- Play outdoors
- Read together
- Colour together
- Create a book together
- Turn off TV during meal times
- Turn off background TV when no one is watching
- Avoid using screens an hour before bedtime
- And probably most importantly… be a good role model with your own screen time
But if you are looking for some long term changes, and ways to have a better relationships with screens and technology in general, try some of these suggestions:
Ways to have a better Relationship with Screens and Technology
- Install parental controls
- 2. Be involved! When your children are engaged in screen time, have them do so in close proximity to you so that you can monitor the time and content.
- Create a screen time schedule, and be proactive in the amount of time your family spends on screens. This way you can balance the amount of time that is spent on technology, and being active. You can also determine the times in which screen time is appropriate… which is probably not at the dinner table with family.
- Designate “no screen areas”. For instance, restrict the use of devices and technology:
- During family meals
- In the car
- In bedrooms
- During family fun nights
So we encourage you to unwind, unplug, relax and reconnect with family and the environment.
