Turnoff Week/Digital Detox Week

Who would ever think that people of today would unplug their televisions and video games, turn off their computers and media players, or put their cell phones on silent for one day, let alone for an entire week! Well, believe it or not, it will happen. Families across the nation will be turning the television sets off for a week during TV Turnoff Week running April 18-24, 2011. This national event, also called Digital Detox Week, encourages people to use electronic screened media responsibly and have more time for a healthier life, personal time, socializing with friends and reading a book or reading to someone else. Can your family go seven days without watching TV or enjoying any electronic toys? According to a January 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, youth ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 1/2 hours a day with electronic entertainment (and manage 10+ hours of total media since they multi-task.) Our media savvy kids are watching TV, playing video games, posting on Facebook, surfing the net, texting, and listening to music! The maximum time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics is just 2 hours a day! Take the Dare...Join in and unplug your life for ONE week! Thanks for joining me in celebrating National Library Week last week with "Hats on For Reading" spirit day! Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian