Turnoff Week/Digital Detox Week

Who would ever think that families of today would unplug their televisions and video games, turn off their media players or computers, 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 their media screens off for a week during Turnoff Week running April 18-24. Also called Digital Detox Week, this national event encourages people to use electronic screened media responsibly and have more time for a healthier life, personal time, and more community participation. Families are to turn off media appliances with a screen for a week and go out and get some exercise, socialize with friends, or read a book or read to their children. Can you or your family go seven days without watching TV or playing with any electronic toys? According to a January 2010 study by 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 others across the nation and unplug for ONE week! This Tuesday I will meet with 3-Bruns and 4-Kahlstorf. The third graders will work on their book mobiles and the 4th graders will listen to the Toni Buzzeo book, Our Librarian Won't Tell Us Anything! I will not be in the district on Thursday or the Tuesday after Easter. Next week I will meet with the first graders, 4-Hildman, and 3-Bruns on Thursday. READ EVERY DAY! Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian