What to do when you decide to unplug for a day or two?

Research shows that health and human connection have been adversely impacted by overuse of technology.

How much time are we actually spending?

• On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens. Teens spend up to 9 hours. American Academy of Pediatrics Feb. 2020.
• About three-in-ten U.S. adults say they are ‘almost constantly’ online – Pew Research Center, March 2021

Impact on relationships

Six out of 10 adults are concerned about the influence technology has on their relationship with their children, and nearly one out of four wish they had more information about technology and parenting, but don’t know where to turn. Dr. David Schramm with Utah State University Extension

Impact on sleep

Experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the effects of blue light from these electronic devices on the sleep-wake cycle. An estimated two in three teenagers regularly sleep less than the recommended amount, and screen time may be responsible for sleep deprivation and other problems.

Impact on our bodies

There is now something called computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, marked by blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain.

Our eyes aren’t built to read on screens. Several aspects — such as viewing angles and screen glare — force our eyes to work harder than they do while studying a printed page.

Global Day of Unplugging 2025 has 200+ ideas of what to do when you unplug on their day of unplugging in March 2025. Join in the fun.

Find the list here.