National event encourages digital detox

Elliott Adams

The National Day of Unplugging is encouraging people across the world to reconnect after they disconnect.

For a 24-hour period, on March 7-8, from sunset to sunset, participants avoid smart phones, tablets and computers, in attempt to take a break from technology and focus on other aspects of life that may be overshadowed by the lure of instant communication.

The event is based on the concept of Sabbath, a Jewish day of rest.

“While the NDU has roots in the Jewish tradition of the Sabbath, this modern day of rest was developed for people of all backgrounds as a way to bring balance to the increasingly fast-paced way of life and reclaim time to connect with family, friends and our communities,” said Tanya Schevitz, communications coordinator for Reboot, the non-profit organization behind the National Day of Unplugging.

Schevitz said that society’s dependence on technology is a danger and the National Day of Unplugging can help raise some awareness for the extreme dependence.

“Everywhere you look  playgrounds, dinner tables, sidewalks and cafes- people are glued to their phones and tablets, texting and emailing or scrolling through Facebook,” Schevitz said.

“This message is reverberating throughout society: our relationship with technology is taking over our ability to be present in our interpersonal relationships.”

The organization hopes this national day will focus on the issue of technological dependency and get people to reflect on how that dependency impacts themselves, their communities and their society.

Though the event is a 24-hour no technology period, those rules are open to interpretation as according to Schevitz, the concept is more important than the action, so setting aside technological devices even just for an hour still relays the same message. 

“We hope that from that new-found awareness, people will try to put their digital devices aside more regularly, for an hour, for the length of a family dinner or a romantic walk, for however long it takes to recharge themselves and to reconnect with those around them.”

Schevitz said that though this day has become an international trend for participants from all ages and backgrounds, the younger generations receive the most benefit from the event as these generations are the most technologically dependent.

“Young people today are missing out on many real moments because they have their faces buried in the glow of their phones,” Schevitz said. “They find it harder to unplug because they have grown up with constant and immediate connections through technology.”

However, though the younger generations are those most dependent on technology, Schevitz said they are also the most likely to take on challenges and find something like the National Day of Unplugging a cool thing to try.

Niko Territo, a student at MCC, said he definitely supports the idea of unplugging and makes the decision to unplug regularly in his own life.

“I go camping a lot so I usually leave my phone and other devices at home,” Territo said. “It actually feels good to not be connected.”

MCC student John McGown said though he supports the idea, it could prove a challenge to many young people.

“It’s a little scary,” McGown said. “It’ll force people to be self reliant.”

The event’s website features a pledge to unplug which provides a “I Unplug to…” sign that participants can fill out with other technology-free activities they will participate in during the day of unplugging, and can then upload a picture of themselves holding that sign.

“I’d probably unplug to read a book,” Territo said. “Or maybe go longboarding.”

Ross Messmer, a student at MCC, said that though he is highly dependent on technology in order to communicate with friends across the country, he’d be willing to unplug for an hour or two.

“Though I don’t consider myself technologically dependent, I’d like the free time to read or draw in my sketchbook,” Messmer said.

Though officially a national event, the NDU is celebrated by people in 115 countries across the world and all 50 states.

 Participants can sign the pledge to unplug online, which is available in multiple languages, and can upload photos to the Nationaldayofunplugging.com or can hashtag photos with #Unplug on Twitter or Instagram

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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