Screen-Free Week

Kids are spending an exorbitant amount of time glued to their electronics these days. The latest survey by Common Sense Media found that American teenagers ages 13 to 18 spend an average of six and a half hours of screen time per day on social media and other activities like video games. Screen time continues to increase as kids are online more during the school day and for socializing with their friends. With this boost in screen use, we have also seen a rise in mental health concerns with tweens and teens. The increase in young girls’ digital technology use, for example, is often linked to the rise in depression and suicide since 2012 in the U.S.

One way to balance out all this screen time is to get outside and engage with nature, which has been shown through scientific research to have an abundance of health benefits. All of us need healthy breaks away from screens throughout the day to recharge and get back to a balanced state, both mentally and physically. Spending some time outside will help kids relax and then come back energized and inspired as they continue with their day.

If they do not get these necessary nature breaks in between school, homework and their other commitments, they could burn out before they even have the chance to receive their high school diploma.

Every year, the organization Fairplay organizes Screen-Free Week to shine a light on the importance of taking breaks from screens. Screen-Free Week is an annual invitation to play, explore and rediscover the joys of life beyond ad-supported screens. During the first week of May, thousands of families, schools, and communities around the world will put down their entertainment screens for seven days of fun, connection and discovery.

Even though this week is about turning off screens, Screen-Free Week is not just about going without technology. As we all know, much of our lives these days depend on screens: paying bills, ordering food, filling out forms before visiting the doctor, keeping up with family and friends, communicating with our children’s school, our own work, our kids’ schoolwork, and more.

Instead, let’s spend time during Screen-Free Week recognizing how we can start building a nature habit to turn some screen time into more green time. An hour once dedicated to YouTube becomes an hour spent outside on a family bike ride; ten minutes scrolling on social media turns into ten minutes taking care of a pet or plant; a movie on a rainy afternoon is replaced by time spent reading and learning about nature.

You can celebrate Screen-Free Week at home, in your school, in your community or anywhere — just put down those entertainment screens and choose an activity that helps you connect to nature because, as we discuss all the time here, it will help you and your loved ones feel happier and calmer.

Sandi Schwartz is an award-winning author who has written extensively about parenting, wellness and environmental issues.