Put the phone down for Family Day: Advocates push for unplugged holiday

While reading this story, you probably won’t be interacting with your family.

Over time, surfing the web and constantly staying connected could make you more distant with your loved ones.

At least that’s the concern behind “Family Day Unplugged,” a program started by the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA).

Canadians consume a huge amount of media each day — up to 8.2 hours, according to one recent report. Another study suggests American teens spend even more time with media, at nine hours a day.

But “Family Day Unplugged” is looking to help buck those trends this holiday Monday.

The program is encouraging communities throughout Alberta to unplug from their devices and instead spend time focused on their family. Many recreational events are being hosted throughout the province under the program’s banner, including sledding, swimming, skating, board games and campfires.

Kim Williston, director of the FCSSAA branch in Beaumont, Alta., said the program was launched in response to a disconcerting trend.

“We’re seeing that, in our communities, people are more disconnected,” she said. “We’re seeing people are busy, they’re disconnected, they’re not interacting with their neighbours.”

Mobile devices like tablets and smartphones have increased the amount of time people spend consuming media.

The program began in 2011 with 16 communities. It has since expanded to include more than 30 communities engaging in the event, including a friendly competition to be the most unplugged community in the province.

“People are finally starting to see that there’s something to this,” Williston said.

Negative effects of media consumption

A number of studies have suggested our growing consumption of media can have a negative effect on our health and relationships.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, has long warned of the need to rein in the amount of time children use technology, based on studies that show too much screen time can lead attention problems and school difficulties.