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Screen-Free Week is an annual event where children and adults turn off digital entertainment and celebrate being unplugged (or find ways to reduce technology use); Kids, families, schools, and communities across the globe are taking a break from digital entertainment to enjoy life beyond the screen. This celebration takes place in homes, schools, and communities around the world this April 29-May 5, 2019.
Digital technology provides us with hours of entertainment, but it can be difficult to know when to switch off. That’s true for parents just as much as it is for kids. As a parent, I can say that it can be difficult to know how to reduce screen time, especially as the social pressure to be connected.
“Screen-Free Week is a breath of fresh air,” said Josh Golin, CCFC’s Executive Director (Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood) . “Kids are surrounded by so much media all the time, and most of it is trying to sell them things or encourage them to act or think a certain way. By turning off entertainment screens for a week, kids and families can shut out that noise and rediscover what really feels good, whether that’s going for a bike ride, playing outside, or just getting lost in a great conversation.” The purpose of this organization is to educate our society about commercialism's impact on kids' wellbeing and advocates for the end of child-targeted marketing.
We know that the ways in which our generation contact each other, have access to information and consume entertainment are so different from previous generations, for this reason, and it is quite redundant to say that the Internet provides an overwhelming source of information at one’s fingertips. I can state that I spend too much time on my phone. Anytime I say I don't know something you won't see me hesitate to look it up because I do not believe in hindering my own progress. But why not to challenge ourselves and our family to enjoy more the joy an offline word. The Screen-Free Week is a great opportunity for everyone.
I found these tips for ADULTS (11 ways to reduce your screen time) I took it from “interestingengineering.com”
Eat your meals without a screen
Limit your non-work screen time
Don’t watch movies or TV in bed
Cut down on computer socializing
Set a timer Keeping up to date on your social media channels is fun and socially very important for many users.
Ban phone charging from the bedroom
Take up another hobby for boredom
Schedule a meeting phone call instead of using chat
Think of other ways to access information
Get your news in a condensed feed
Exercise as you watch - At least this way your screen time is being used to help you in other parts of your life.
I found these tips for CHILDREN (several ways to reduce their screen time) (from Action for Healthy Kids Org)
Engage them in physical activities
Set a limit on gadget use
Make sure they sleep on time
Screen-Free Week Ideas
Organize a community clean-up
Put together a puzzle
Visit the library and read a book or magazine
Go ice skating or roller skating
Visit the zoo
Visit a local museum, landmark, or park
Take a hike or a neighborhood walk
Paint a picture, a mural or a room
Attend a high school or college sporting event
Go swimming or skating
Learn to play the guitar or other musical instrument
Read a book aloud to your younger sister/brother
Plan a picnic or barbecue
Play a game
Go bike riding
Go bird watching
Play with your pet
Go dancing
Learn to cook a new recipe and go grocery shopping
Plant a flower, vegetable or herb garden
Plan a slumber party
Start a neighborhood basketball, soccer, or kickball game
Go camping (even if it's just in the backyard!)
Go through your closets. Donate items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army
Start a journal about life without TV
Take a nature hike and collect leaves--make a leaf collage
Watch the night sky through binoculars; identify the different constellations
Go fishing
Organize a family car wash day
Ok ok, technology is something that humans have relied on since the very first hunting implement was devised, since fire was discovered. We've done nothing but improve and enhance technology ever since. For this reason, you may get lost in your online life that you forget to live your real life and sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply give your kids plenty of opportunities to enjoy other fun activities, away from devices.
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