Screen-Free Week is back! Join us May 3-9, 2021 for our annual celebration of unplugging, reconnection, and joy. Celebrating may look differently this year!
What is Screen-Free Week?
In a current world where everything from schooling to ordering food is online or in an app, it is definitely an extra challenge to minimize our screen-time these days! The last thing we need is added pressure. This year for Screen-Free Week 2021, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and FURL are inviting you “to come as you are and celebrate however you can.” Make your screen-free goals this year aspirational. You do not have to completely disconnect to participate. This can mean choosing to unplug for a day, replace usual screen-times with family activities, or plan specific times to be outdoors.
While we cannot stop using our devices for work and school communication, Screen-Free Week is an annual, international opportunity to carefully re-think how our digital world is affecting our real life relationships. Are screens interfering with family time? Is there an area of our modern lives which could be enriched by more in-person or outdoor connection? What a great invitation to take a pause and notice how we personally feel by our technology use.
How can I participate/celebrate?
Participating is as simple as making a pledge to yourself to consider replacing screen-based entertainment with offline activities and downtime.
Screen-Free Week is hosted by Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (https://commercialfreechildhood.org). Check out the wonderful resources on their website!
One excellent way during May is to get outside! You can find a great list of 101 Screen-Free Activities here. Your family may also enjoy this Screen-Free Bingo Card to get inspired.
Bonus: You can win a book from CCFC!
This year, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) is giving away copies of children’s books from their Annual Screen-Free Week Booklist to those who participate in Screen-Free Week and share their experiences. Find out more here, and stay tuned to their Facebook page for videos of our Screen-Free books and more unplugged fun.
If a whole week feels daunting, consider Digital Wellbeing Day on May 7, 2021 being the perfect option!
If you post your celebrations on social media, be sure to also tag #screenfreeweek and #FURL in your posts. Happy unplugging!