Screen-Free Teen Roundtable

Screen-Free Teen Roundtable

by | Feb 21, 2023 | screenfree

Our 2023 Screen-Free Week Coordinator Jen Kane, recently sat down with three teenagers, ages 15-18, who have spent over a month screen-free during their summers to talk about that experience. The conversation is excerpted below.

Jen: Can you tell me the pros and cons about having gone screen-free?

Keely: When I did screen free [at a day camp] the phone was still there—in the room—but I wasn’t allowed to use it. That’s okay, but it’s even harder when you go somewhere where you’re not even remotely close to any devices. Thankfully, after a while you start to not think about it.

Jen: So, do you think somebody needs to physically take away your device for you to be able to go screen free?

Kaia: Yes. Sometimes I’ll be so bored, or I’m so sick of my phone, and I actually want to do something else. But then I’m still like, [mimes picking up phone] ‘what’s in this app?’

Keely: I do that too.

Ronnie: Sometimes I’m tired of being on my phone, so I’ll read a book. But I’ll still have my phone next to me. The minute it buzzes, I’m like, [mimes scrolling].

Jen: Do you feel like you’re addicted to your phone?

Kaia: For me personally, yeah. Even when I don’t want to be on it, I’m still on it. It’s the first thing I go to all the time, and I will get stressed out if I’m away from it for a long time.  

Keely: Sometimes my timer goes off on YouTube, and says, “You spent four and a half hours on YouTube.” And I say, “yeah,” cancel the timer, and watch like, another three hours.

Ronnie: I am a recovering Twitter addict. I’ve deleted it for, like, a week so many times. I always re-download it, even though I hate it. It makes me feel so bad that I’m so addicted to it.

Jen: So how did you stop using Twitter in the past?

Ronnie: It was very spur of the moment thing. There was one day where my timeline was so full of this one argument I thought was really stupid, and people were getting so aggressive over it. And I was just like, ‘why do I do this to myself?’ So, I deleted it.

Kaia: That’s something I’ve done a lot too. I don’t have Twitter, but I’ve deleted TikTok so many times, because when I come back down to Earth, I’m like, ‘I’m not having fun. I don’t like this.’ It just makes me feel bad about myself. It makes me overly socially aware and anxious all the time. It makes you question your sense of self.

That’s why I think it is an addiction. When I’m not on it, I’m like, ‘what a breath of fresh air!” Those constant boosts of serotonin in the moment creep up on you in a way that you don’t even realize that social media is the thing that’s making you so miserable.

Jen: Is there anything in the real world that gives you that same high?

Ronnie: Yeah. The Lord of the Rings. [everyone laughs because Ronnie really, really likes LOTR!]

Jen: Okay, so what does it feel like when you go screen-free and eliminate all that noise in your life?

Ronnie: I feel like I have a lot more time to do things. But sometimes I don’t know what to do. So, it’s like, ‘okay, I can read a book and I can journal.’ I can also have conversations about serious topics with friends and family that respect me, which is way different than Twitter.

Keely: When I come back from a screen-free camp, I’ll sometimes catch up with people on my Instagram feed, text people, and watch reels. But that’s about it, unless it’s close friends. I don’t care about everything everybody posts every day.  

Kaia: I journaled about this a lot, especially when I got back from [a screen-free] camp. When I’m really depressed or anxious it’s usually because of social media. Without that distraction it makes me think about myself a lot more. It’s almost like you forget how much fun your mind is when you’re constantly having this other stimulant. You forget what your own brain can do.

Screen-Free week is for teens too! If your teen wants to participate this year, invite them to pledge to participate at screenfree.org/pledge. The teens above aren’t going entirely screen-free on May 1, simply picking one problematic app from which to take a week-long break. Sounds like a great plan to us!

 

Changing just one habit for Screen-Free Week

Changing just one habit for Screen-Free Week

by | Feb 16, 2023 | screenfree

The urge had become completely Pavlovian.

Whenever I stopped at a red light while driving, I’d check my phone for messages. Stop at a red light, check for messages; stop; check. It was ingrained, unsafe, and annoyingly compelling and unstoppable. Even with my notifications off ’d keep my phone nearby, compulsively checking for no reason whatsoever.

I should have known better, of course, given my professional work with Screen-Free Week 2018 and 2019 and the Screen Time Action Network. But even those of us deep in the fight for safe, humane tech for children rely on our digital tech to help us advance our mission and advocacy.

That means we are no less prone to habituated tech habits and digital tech overuse (or unsafe use), especially considering that our tech devices are so deviously designed to feel impossible to put down.

So in spring 2022, I asked myself: could I use Screen-Free Week this year to spark lasting change in my relationship with my own devices?

For the two years I worked to promote Screen-Free Week, I urged families, schools, and communities to consider their past year of digital tech use as inspiration for how they’d celebrate the week, then use the week as inspiration for a changed relationship the rest of the year. But could one Screen-Free Week really make a difference in my own life?

Let me quell the doubters and naysayers by saying that yes, it can be absolutely habit changing.

Last Screen-Free Week I made that one simple resolution not to check my phone at red lights. That was it. I kept my phone in my purse and kept the purse zipped and inaccessible. It wasn’t easy, but I knew that putting temptation out of reach is an important habit-changing tool.

After one week of a severed “red light-check phone” connection thanks to Screen-Free Week, the urge had begun to lift. I decided to continue the practice as I didn’t want to give up on my progress.

Months later, I’ve stuck to this new habit. If I feel strongly that I need to check my phone (like when I’m waiting for an important message), I will pull to the side of the road and check. I also keep a pad of paper and pen near me to jot down ideas that pop into my mind (yes, I do this at red lights, but it is not an ingrained, habituated response, so I allow myself this traffic light indulgence).

I can check my phone before I begin a drive and after I’ve parked at the end, but not during the drive itself. I replaced one terrible tech habit with a digital wellness practice that fosters mindfulness and allows me to enjoy the journey more.

So yes, Screen-Free Week is about a week of gratitude, fun, and community. But I’m serious when I say that if you’re lucky, it may rock your year as well!

Rinny Yourman, Esq., digital wellness educator, parent educator, blogger, and mom to two teens, volunteered and has worked with Screen-Free Week and the Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay since 2018.

 

A Parent’s Perspective on Screen-Free Week

A Parent’s Perspective on Screen-Free Week

by | Feb 8, 2023 | screenfree

As much as we’d love to think our role as parents is to protect our kids from screen time, chances are we might need some protecting, too!

Even the most tech-savvy of us can be sucked into our devices, (SPOILER ALERT! They were designed to do that.) It doesn’t help that our work and personal lives increasingly intersect online and work/life balance has become less of a goal and more of a fairy tale.

Screen-Free Week can help parents and caregivers, too, as the following guest post from past participant Amanda Gilbert explains.

Screen Free week is always a great reset for our family. It helps us prioritize what really matters. 

In our family, it is probably most beneficial for Mom and Dad. With our phones—that can do so much more than simply contact people—constantly on us, it is so easy to be sucked into the screen. Social media, shopping, movies and more grab our attention so readily. 

During Screen-Free Week my husband and I commit to using our phones as phones only. We call and text with them, but no Facebook, Tiktok, or other media. I even try to go to the computer for email during that week so my phone is just a phone. 

Every year this leads us to realize just how much we use our phones for media. We realize how often our heads are down and not focused on our children. We pledge to do better and we do better for a while, but then life catches up and we slip into old habits. Screen-Free Week gives us a chance to reset every year.  

For the kids, it’s not too challenging. During the year, they only watch an hour of shows a day and occasional weekend tablet use. But they whine the first day and plead the second. By day three they are ready to find new things to replace show time. 

Last year we built a fort, read lots more books, and played outside more. The kids became excited to come up with their own activities to replace our typical screen time. I’m looking forward to seeing what creative ideas they come up with this year in lieu of screen time!

Thanks for your story, Amanda!

Amanda’s thoughts are part of our “Share Your Screen-Free Story” campaign. If you’ve participated in Screen-Free week in the past and want to share your insights, please contact [email protected].

We’ll take your story however you’d like to share it—write it out, create a poem, sing a song, film a video, share art inspired by the experience. The choice is yours!

Photo courtesy of Luemen Rutkowski via Unplash

 

Another Fabulous Screen-Free Week: More Friends, Family, and Fun in 2022

Another Fabulous Screen-Free Week: More Friends, Family, and Fun in 2022

by | May 15, 2022 | screenfree, Uncategorized

We were so excited to hear about your amazing experiences during Screen-Free Week 2022! From Nicaragua to Scotland to San Diego, tens of thousands of people relished in the “joy of missing out” from May 2 – 8. After the pandemic and resulting increases in screen time, it was so important to be gentle with ourselves this year. Perfection is NOT the point, and it’s clear that participants made the most of their screen-free time.

Want to keep screen breaks a regular part of your life? Check out our Screen-Free Saturdays resources! And save the date for Screen-Free Week 2023, May 3-9!

What did celebrations look like this year?

The best part of Screen-Free Week is the diversity and variation of celebrations. Some families spent the week on the beach, at the library, or in their own backyards. Often, schools and communities spearhead the celebration; in fact, one Wisconsin community hosted over 15 Screen-Free Week events this year! Below, check out these inspiring stories and photos from participants:

“We left behind our screens and had an unforgettable family adventure, camping at a national seashore for 5 days. Our girls saw tons of wildlife including armadillos, crabs, wild horses, manatees, a shark, and crabs. They spent long, unstructured days beachcombing, exploring ruins, playing in the waves, building sandcastles, climbing trees and making boats out of fallen leaves and bark. We reconnected with cousins and grandparents around the campfire. We laughed together when my sister caught a minnow between her toes, commiserated over mosquito bites, and gazed in wonder at a nest a bird had built in an open backpack pocket which had been undisturbed for 3 days—complete with a freshly laid egg! We didn’t miss the screens. Instead of living vicariously, watching adventures on a screen, we lived one!” –Emily, UT

“When I first mentioned Screen-Free Week to our students, they were asking all sorts of questions.. “How can we do this? What, no computer?, No technology? No iPads?” and on an on…Fast forward to the last day of the week: “Hey, Mrs. Baughman, can we do this again next week?” I’d say this Screen-Free Week made a lasting impact on our students. I plan to participate next year as well!” –Star, NC

“Our elementary school planned a screen free activity for each day of the week. The first day was an at home scavenger hunt, the 2nd day was a STEM night at the school, where we did 4 low tech STEM activities. The 3rd night we did a rock painting and sidewalk chalk night with out art teacher at the school to add rocks to our rock garden. The 4th night we held a pajama storybook night at the school, where teachers read to students throughout the school while in. their pajamas. The last night was an ice cream party at a local ice cream shop. We had over 100 students participate every night and 20 teachers help throughout the week.” -Bonne, NJ

“One thing we did without any stress was having meals together without staring at electronics. We will keep the rule and continue having meals together without screens. This was a great experience and we will try to limit screen time in the future.”–Sandra, MD

We’re thrilled to see all of the amazing experiences people had during Screen-Free Week. Take a look at the many ways people celebrated (plus more pictures) below. Thanks to everyone for participating and sharing your stories!

    • Making baby quilts
    • Taking Grammie out to lunch
    • Attending a church bonfire
    • Playing with legos
    • Reading, reading, reading!
    • Practicing the flute
    • Roasting hot dogs over the fire
    • Celebrating Mother’s Day
    • Swimming in creeks and lakes
    • Pajama storybook night
    • Building forts
    • Designing fairy houses
    • Playing with dolls
    • Horseback riding
    • Drawing/making art
    • Flag football!
    • Going to the zoo
    • Rock painting
    • Scavenger hunts
    • Hiking by candlelight
  • Playing with puppies
  • Spending time with friends
  • Attending an art show
  • Looking through a telescope
  • Barbecue and ice cream!
  • Racing through obstacle courses
  • Planting flowers
  • Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
  • Dancing in the park
  • Visiting museums

Screen-Free Week Book List winners read from their books!

Screen-Free Week Book List winners read from their books!

by | Apr 23, 2022 | screenfree, Uncategorized

For Screen-Free Week 2022, in partnership with Children’s Book Week, we invited the authors from our Screen-Free Week Booklist to send in videos of them reading their books. The Manic Panic by Richa Jha and Mithila Ananth is one of our favorite new books on the list; below, author Richa Jha reads from their amazing tale.

More about The Manic Panic: Some grown-ups have so much screen time that they just can’t cope when the wifi goes out. Luckily the grown-ups in The Manic Panic live with a smart kid who loves to read and an adventurous grandma who knows how to have fun without the internet. The Manic Panic is a wry look at the value of unplugged family time, even when someone is resistant to the real world. (AGES 5-11)

Next, Roopa Raveendran-Menon, the author of Chandu and the Super Set of Parents, reads from Chapter 1 of her wonderful new book. Chandu and the Super Set of Parents is a heartwarming examination of the meaning of family.

More about Chandu and the Super Set of Parents: When Chandu’s strict parents threaten to ship him off to boarding school, Chandu wonders what it would be like to have different parents and comes across a curious storefront: The Exchange Your Parents Shop. Chandu has the opportunity to become the child of math geniuses, movie superstars, or sports icons. Including themes surrounding screen use, this is a fantastical tale set against a rich tapestry of Indian food, culture, and customs. (AGES 7-12)

Finally, author Adam Ciccio and baby June read Go Out and Play, an adorable children’s picture book about putting down the screens to play outside, illustrated by Katrien Benaets! This book is an awesome addition to our 2022 Screen-Free Week Book List!

More about Go Out and Play: The clouds are gone and the sun is out. It’s time to put the phones away and enjoy the sunshine before the sun goes down. There are so many things to explore outside. Play soccer, skateboard, or find new bugs! What will you do with your time outside? (AGES 0-11)

Author Gordon Korman talks about his book, Unplugged

Author Gordon Korman talks about his book, Unplugged

by | Jun 7, 2021 | screenfree, Uncategorized

For Screen-Free Week 2021, we invited the authors from our Screen-Free Week Booklist, in partnership with the Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Book Week, to send in videos of them reading or talking about their books. Enjoy these videos, as submitted by the authors! Here, Gordon Korman, talks a bit about Unplugged and reads an excerpt in honor of Screen-Free Week!

Check out our annual book list here: Annual Booklist