Parenting & Family Life

Unplugging for 1 day... why it can be a good

a school gathering to watch screenagers
February 14, 2017
min read
Delaney Ruston, MD
a school gathering to watch screenagers

In Summary

TECH TALK TUESDAY #54: WILL YOU JOIN THE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING?

A person looking at a screen

The 24 hours from  sundown March 3rd until sundown March 4th, 2017 is The National Day of Unplugging. This day is designed to help people of all ages to embrace the ancient ritual of a day of rest and we are so excited that Screenagers is a co-sponsor!

The goal of this important 24 hours is to open our eyes to how tech is so immersed in our lives. For some of us our device is like a third hand.  Starting with just this one day, we encourage you to step back get a new perspective on your tech time, by not having tech time.

Recently, a mom emailed me after she and her daughter watched Screenagers. She wrote "My 17-year-old daughter says she was interested in how technology causes one's brain to behave in ways that we can't control.” Getting more kids to ponder these question is key. Do this day with your whole family—invite grandparents, aunts and uncles, whole classrooms, entire schools and your religious organization to join.

I had my 15-year old daughter Tessa write a bit of this TTT and this is what she wrote:

"Who knows who you might meet if you look up during a train ride or the conversation you might have in the car with your kids while you drive them around. Read the book on your bedside table that you have been meaning to finish, try to fall asleep early and catch up on sleep. Look in a cookbook that you used to love and get inspired to cook a meal."

For Tech Talk Tuesday this week let's talk about unplugging together on March 3rd. To 4th.  Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

  • Will you commit to unplug for 1 day? Sign up for to be part of NDU 2017.
  • What do you think you will miss in that one day?
  • Let's try to calculate how much time we spend in a day on our screens so we know how much time we will have saved on that one day of unplugging.

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!

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Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids

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Parenting & Family Life

Unplugging for 1 day... why it can be a good

Delaney Ruston, MD
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Lisa Tabb
February 14, 2017

As we’re about to celebrate 10 years of Screenagers, we want to hear what’s been most helpful and what you’d like to see next.

Please click here to share your thoughts with us in our community survey. It only takes 5–10 minutes, and everyone who completes it will be entered to win one of five $50 Amazon vouchers.

TECH TALK TUESDAY #54: WILL YOU JOIN THE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING?

A person looking at a screen

The 24 hours from  sundown March 3rd until sundown March 4th, 2017 is The National Day of Unplugging. This day is designed to help people of all ages to embrace the ancient ritual of a day of rest and we are so excited that Screenagers is a co-sponsor!

The goal of this important 24 hours is to open our eyes to how tech is so immersed in our lives. For some of us our device is like a third hand.  Starting with just this one day, we encourage you to step back get a new perspective on your tech time, by not having tech time.

Recently, a mom emailed me after she and her daughter watched Screenagers. She wrote "My 17-year-old daughter says she was interested in how technology causes one's brain to behave in ways that we can't control.” Getting more kids to ponder these question is key. Do this day with your whole family—invite grandparents, aunts and uncles, whole classrooms, entire schools and your religious organization to join.

I had my 15-year old daughter Tessa write a bit of this TTT and this is what she wrote:

"Who knows who you might meet if you look up during a train ride or the conversation you might have in the car with your kids while you drive them around. Read the book on your bedside table that you have been meaning to finish, try to fall asleep early and catch up on sleep. Look in a cookbook that you used to love and get inspired to cook a meal."

For Tech Talk Tuesday this week let's talk about unplugging together on March 3rd. To 4th.  Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

  • Will you commit to unplug for 1 day? Sign up for to be part of NDU 2017.
  • What do you think you will miss in that one day?
  • Let's try to calculate how much time we spend in a day on our screens so we know how much time we will have saved on that one day of unplugging.

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More
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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers movie series

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

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Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More
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Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition - Learn more about our latest movie.

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Learn more about the Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!

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Parenting & Family Life

Unplugging for 1 day... why it can be a good

Delaney Ruston, MD
February 14, 2017

TECH TALK TUESDAY #54: WILL YOU JOIN THE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING?

A person looking at a screen

The 24 hours from  sundown March 3rd until sundown March 4th, 2017 is The National Day of Unplugging. This day is designed to help people of all ages to embrace the ancient ritual of a day of rest and we are so excited that Screenagers is a co-sponsor!

The goal of this important 24 hours is to open our eyes to how tech is so immersed in our lives. For some of us our device is like a third hand.  Starting with just this one day, we encourage you to step back get a new perspective on your tech time, by not having tech time.

Recently, a mom emailed me after she and her daughter watched Screenagers. She wrote "My 17-year-old daughter says she was interested in how technology causes one's brain to behave in ways that we can't control.” Getting more kids to ponder these question is key. Do this day with your whole family—invite grandparents, aunts and uncles, whole classrooms, entire schools and your religious organization to join.

I had my 15-year old daughter Tessa write a bit of this TTT and this is what she wrote:

"Who knows who you might meet if you look up during a train ride or the conversation you might have in the car with your kids while you drive them around. Read the book on your bedside table that you have been meaning to finish, try to fall asleep early and catch up on sleep. Look in a cookbook that you used to love and get inspired to cook a meal."

For Tech Talk Tuesday this week let's talk about unplugging together on March 3rd. To 4th.  Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

  • Will you commit to unplug for 1 day? Sign up for to be part of NDU 2017.
  • What do you think you will miss in that one day?
  • Let's try to calculate how much time we spend in a day on our screens so we know how much time we will have saved on that one day of unplugging.

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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parenting in the screen age

for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.  

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