Plugging back in after Screen Free Week

Marotta is "on the grid"

I am not Amish.  I fully admit to loving technology and all of the conveniences that come with being "plugged in." Despite my affinity for all things plugged I took the challenge and went off screens for one full week. It was like a trip back in time, except I did have a "mobile" so I could make and receive calls. No texts. No camera. No FaceBook. No email. No exceptions.

It was . . . different.

Driving was super quiet.  I would like to tell you I was a less distracted driver but I rediscovered old  past times for my commute.  Looking out of the windows.Watching other drivers.  Listening to the radio.  Did you hear that NPR aired a special on the Screen Free Week with the author of Doug Unplugged? It was awesome. 

Home was equally quiet.  I found myself particularly productive.  I cleaned, weeded, exercised, read (a book with pages!), and stayed up late.  When the "land line" phone rang I didn't recognize the sound. I was thrilled to hear my college kiddo's voice! She called the home number after trying my cell, and waiting for the text back that never came.  

"Who wrote the Max and Ruby series?"
 "Where is the restaurant?"
 "How many WW points is . . . ?"
"Would you order me tickets for the Listen to Your Mother show?

Family members and  friends were stressed by my seven day experiment.  I was like a three year old with all of my questions. They even nicknamed me "bossy pants" for delegating all google searches their way. Hey--I said thank you!

I stocked the waiting room with games, new toys, and information about SFW.  Many clients participated willingly, some not so much. I saw families playing cards, reading, and talking more.  It was like time travel.

Here are my personal conclusions from my venture out of the informational age:

• Talking was more meaningful and memorable than texting.
• Boredom didn't kill me.
• Boundaries for screens made me more focused.
• Time out from technology meant more movement (one day I logged 16,000 steps!)

I'm officially back on the grid, but making some changes. 

What did you learn from SFW 2013?

Don't freak out: Countdown to Technology Time Out

We are less than seven days away from Screen Free Week 2013. This month I have posted about problems with attention span, communication, obesity, and poor academic performance in our children that is linked to the overuse of technology.  What more can be said?

Don't be afraid.

“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise;  they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.” Do you know who said this?

I hope your "take away" from SFW 2013 is restored balance. Balance for yourself and for your family.  Empower yourself and your family by developing well considered boundaries and limits for technology. Use your time-out wisely.

In my quest to give you good unbiased information I learned a new term "juvenoia." Juvenoia is the fear that young people are changing the mores of society and basically sending our world to heck in a handbasket. I don't believe that.  I am optimistic about children and teenagers. They need our leadership not our fear.

Did you figure out who authored the above quote? 

Socrates (469-399 BC)!

Please consider using next week to reflect on your reliance on technology and examine its role in your family life.  I will not be posting next week to give you (and me) a chance to unplug.

Don't freak out.

Good luck.

Wating Room Wi-Fi



google images

Waiting rooms are an interesting microcosm of the world.  Last week when I was checking for my next appointment I noticed that everyone was using technology. Everyone.  There are 10 counselors in our office and every single person in the waiting room was “plugged in” to a hand held screen.  Since studying behavior is kind of my thing, I started tracking.  My week long research startled me.  The readers of magazines/books, and the players of blocks/puzzles are now in the minority.  The shift in technology has officially hit our office in a BIG way. 

 

I like technology, obviously.  Our office has a website.  I call, text, email, blog, research, Facebook, and have Pinterest boards for inspirational quotes and (mostly) healthy recipes.  Our office has a website.  But I am wondering about the cost of screen time to each of us, and to our families.  So I did some more research. Yes, it was online. 

The American Psychology Association website search indicates that when the amount of screen time goes up: attention, sleep, physical activity, social interaction, and grades go down.  Although video games have been linked to improved reaction time in children, and improved surgical skills in surgeons, there is compelling evidence that increased aggression and obesity are also associated with increased video and television usage. 

Adult cell phone use is steadily increasing.  Most of us grownups (72%) use our cell phones for texting, but we tend to use our phones for voice conversations more than texting.  Teens exceed our texting on a 5:1 ratio according to the Pew Internet Research Center.  Younger cell phone users are averaging one and a half hours of texting per day, and one half hour using their cell phones to make voice calls.  This data does not include the use of cell phones for Internet surfing or account for the multi-tasking media use which is commonplace among teens.  It is not unusual, for example, to see teens huddled on the couch watching a movie, playing a game on their individual cell phones, and texting other people.

The last week of April (April 28-May 4) has been designated Screen Free Week by the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood.  It may be radical, but I am going to introduce the idea to my family, my clients, and the office waiting room.  Technology may have its place, but it is not meant to replace peaceful silence, reflection, talking, listening . . .

Will you take the challenge? 

I promise to post ideas and inspiration to lighten up your screen use!