In 2008, the idea of spending a week without surf the Web, play a video game or watch your favorite reality show may seem silly.
Starting Monday, that is exactly what is a national organization hoping people will. The Center for SCREEN TIME-launches its annual awareness campaign "Turnoff Week" to encourage healthy alternatives to watching television and other electronic media by using gadgets. The week runs through April 27.
Although the campaign, now in its 14th year, was originally called TV Turnoff Week, the word "TV" has been deleted from the title. These days, watching a screen for hours goes far beyond television, "said Robert Kesten, executive director of the Center for SCREEN TIME-Consciousness.
"Twenty years ago, television was the key element in the population of the use of electronic media personnel," said Kesten. "It has changed a lot and continues to change as more devices are created and more people are financially within the reach of these devices."
Kesten, whose organization is based in Washington, said technology offers many advantages, such as keeping in touch via e-mail and do research online. Television allows us to see and learn about the places, people and issues outside of our daily lives. But too much time in front of screens can lead to obesity and other health problems, as well as psychological problems, Kesten said.
"We are looking for things that meet our needs and if our needs are not met in the real world, we will try to find alternatives in the virtual world," said Kesten. "The idea that children spend the most time allowed to play with Webkinz did not exist before. Rather than encouraging children to play with other children, or to go outside and cycling, we are allowing them to become solitary and sedentary individuals. "
School-age children should spend no more than one to two hours per day in front of a screen, "said Dr Bob Belter, a pediatrician Algonquin. For children who are overweight, health experts recommend no more than one hour per day in front of a screen, Belter said. Infants and toddlers 2 years and younger should not have any time television.
"This is a concern for pediatricians and a public health problem," said Belter. "The obesity rate continues to climb."
Belter recommends children have at least one hour per day of moderate physical activity. This may include swimming, bicycling, skating or even taking a brisk walk. Reading, too, is always a better choice than watching television, he said.
"It's a good alternative to plopping down in front of the television," said Belter. "If it's a bad day, and options for physical activity are less, open a book."
The technology has evolved to a point where we can almost "cheating" by Turnoff Week. Thanks to the DVR and TiVo, we can shut down for the week and not miss a thing, "said Steve Jones, professor of communications at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
"It might be Turnoff Week, but you can always look at what you missed the following week," said Jones, Senior Fellow at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. "The problem is in some ways is more difficult than ever to simply turn off the screen or computer."
Several years ago, Jones conducted an experiment in his class that involved asking students to go without the use of the Internet for 24 hours. The students kept journals of their experiences. Today, such an experiment could not be carried out, "said Jones.
"I can not ask them to do more, because their access to the Internet is a vital link," said Jones. "What if there was some kind of campus emergency and they missed some information vital? The extreme case is less a family member might be trying to reach them. In many classes, your program is only available online. "
Kesten accepts all close completely out of the week will be tough. Almost everyone uses computers at some time during their working day. He just wants to see people cut their recreational use of the devices this week. The week provides an opportunity to take a walk, a meal or play a board game.
"We would like to see people use this week with the celebration of real life, so that the screen time becomes a tool and a recreational casual," said Kesten.
After a long and cold winter, which finally seems to have decreased, being outdoors and away from the screens should not be too difficult. The Geneva Park District uses Turnoff Week as a kick programming spring. A number of activities are planned this week, including a family game night and a family gym night.
"We had a very difficult winter," said a spokesman for the Geneva Park District Megan Johnson. "Outdoor activities have been fairly limited. We see [Turnoff Week] as a great way for families to come together and do something besides watch TV."
Try these activities during the Turnoff Week
• Take a walk. When was the last time you checked your neighborhood or city?
• Go for a bike ride.
• Visit your library or local museum.
• Include a meal. Invite friends and neighbours.
• If the weather is too bad to go outside, play a game of cards or a board game.
Starting Monday, that is exactly what is a national organization hoping people will. The Center for SCREEN TIME-launches its annual awareness campaign "Turnoff Week" to encourage healthy alternatives to watching television and other electronic media by using gadgets. The week runs through April 27.
Although the campaign, now in its 14th year, was originally called TV Turnoff Week, the word "TV" has been deleted from the title. These days, watching a screen for hours goes far beyond television, "said Robert Kesten, executive director of the Center for SCREEN TIME-Consciousness.
"Twenty years ago, television was the key element in the population of the use of electronic media personnel," said Kesten. "It has changed a lot and continues to change as more devices are created and more people are financially within the reach of these devices."
Kesten, whose organization is based in Washington, said technology offers many advantages, such as keeping in touch via e-mail and do research online. Television allows us to see and learn about the places, people and issues outside of our daily lives. But too much time in front of screens can lead to obesity and other health problems, as well as psychological problems, Kesten said.
"We are looking for things that meet our needs and if our needs are not met in the real world, we will try to find alternatives in the virtual world," said Kesten. "The idea that children spend the most time allowed to play with Webkinz did not exist before. Rather than encouraging children to play with other children, or to go outside and cycling, we are allowing them to become solitary and sedentary individuals. "
School-age children should spend no more than one to two hours per day in front of a screen, "said Dr Bob Belter, a pediatrician Algonquin. For children who are overweight, health experts recommend no more than one hour per day in front of a screen, Belter said. Infants and toddlers 2 years and younger should not have any time television.
"This is a concern for pediatricians and a public health problem," said Belter. "The obesity rate continues to climb."
Belter recommends children have at least one hour per day of moderate physical activity. This may include swimming, bicycling, skating or even taking a brisk walk. Reading, too, is always a better choice than watching television, he said.
"It's a good alternative to plopping down in front of the television," said Belter. "If it's a bad day, and options for physical activity are less, open a book."
The technology has evolved to a point where we can almost "cheating" by Turnoff Week. Thanks to the DVR and TiVo, we can shut down for the week and not miss a thing, "said Steve Jones, professor of communications at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
"It might be Turnoff Week, but you can always look at what you missed the following week," said Jones, Senior Fellow at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. "The problem is in some ways is more difficult than ever to simply turn off the screen or computer."
Several years ago, Jones conducted an experiment in his class that involved asking students to go without the use of the Internet for 24 hours. The students kept journals of their experiences. Today, such an experiment could not be carried out, "said Jones.
"I can not ask them to do more, because their access to the Internet is a vital link," said Jones. "What if there was some kind of campus emergency and they missed some information vital? The extreme case is less a family member might be trying to reach them. In many classes, your program is only available online. "
Kesten accepts all close completely out of the week will be tough. Almost everyone uses computers at some time during their working day. He just wants to see people cut their recreational use of the devices this week. The week provides an opportunity to take a walk, a meal or play a board game.
"We would like to see people use this week with the celebration of real life, so that the screen time becomes a tool and a recreational casual," said Kesten.
After a long and cold winter, which finally seems to have decreased, being outdoors and away from the screens should not be too difficult. The Geneva Park District uses Turnoff Week as a kick programming spring. A number of activities are planned this week, including a family game night and a family gym night.
"We had a very difficult winter," said a spokesman for the Geneva Park District Megan Johnson. "Outdoor activities have been fairly limited. We see [Turnoff Week] as a great way for families to come together and do something besides watch TV."
Try these activities during the Turnoff Week
• Take a walk. When was the last time you checked your neighborhood or city?
• Go for a bike ride.
• Visit your library or local museum.
• Include a meal. Invite friends and neighbours.
• If the weather is too bad to go outside, play a game of cards or a board game.
