Am I a hypocrite for asking my online students to celebrate the Global Day of Unplugging?

Encouraging your online students to celebrate the Global Day of Unplugging is a positive step towards promoting a healthy balance between technology and offline activities.

I just sent my welcome emails to my new students for my 8-week undergraduate seminar, Technology & Culture: The Impact of The Internet Age. Starting Monday I’m attempting to pass on to my students that the information needed to make their best choices in a digital world.

On March 3–4th we celebrated the Global Day of Unplugging!

As an educator, it is my responsibility to educate my online students about the importance of unplugging from technology and finding a balance between their online and offline lives. Therefore encouraging my students to celebrate the Global Day of Unplugging was a great way to promote the need for technology balance and encourage my online students to take a break from their devices.

When the National Day of Unplugging awareness campaign started in 2009, very little academic and clinical research had been conducted about the long term impact of smartphone use on mental health. Recognizing the need for awareness of what might become a bigger problem, the Jewish arts and culture non-profit Reboot launched in partnership with Sabbath Manifesto, a project designed to slow down lives in an increasingly hectic world. What was once a small group of people gathering for tech-free Shabbat dinners turned into thousands of world-wide community partners organizing live unplugged events, year after year. @globaldayofunplugging

However, it is essential to acknowledge that there may be some challenges associated with asking online students to unplug, given that they are already spending a significant amount of time online. Therefore, it’s important to provide guidance and support for your students.

Encouraging online students to unplug can be challenging.

Online students are already spending a significant amount of time on their devices. However, here are some tips that may help:

1. Set a good example: Students often model their behavior after their teachers, so it’s essential to practice what you preach. Try to disconnect from your phone or computer during class or meetings.
2. Set boundaries: Encourage your students to set boundaries around their online class time, such as taking breaks to stretch or step away from the computer for a few minutes every hour. Encourage them to schedule offline activities for the rest of the day.
3. Promote mindfulness: Encourage your students to practice mindfulness and meditation as a way to unplug from technology and reduce stress.
4. Encourage physical activity: Encourage your students to engage in physical activity such as walking, jogging, or exercising to help them unplug and reduce stress.
5. Provide offline assignments: Assign homework or projects that can be done offline to encourage your students to take a break from technology and engage in other activities.
6. Educate on the importance of unplugging: Educate your students on the importance of unplugging and its benefits, such as improved sleep, better focus, and reduced stress levels.
7. Encourage socializing: Encourage your students to socialize with friends and family, even if it’s just a phone call or video chat, as a way to unplug from their devices and connect with others.

Encouraging your online students to unplug is not about disconnecting entirely from technology but finding a balance that works for them. Encourage your students to find a healthy balance between being connected all the time and unplugging to reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.

What should you do during #GDU2023 …or any day of the year?

Filter the Unplugging Ideas — Unplug Collaborative list for over 200+ ideas on what to do when you’re unplugged, who is ready to unplug, and where you may want to unplug.

Photo credit @globaldayofunplugging

Research shows that health and human connection have been adversely impacted by overuse of technology.

The hope is that our course to be our guide to an accelerating world filled with “technology.” Hasn’t the world felt lately like it has been moving extra fast? It hasn’t felt gradual. It has felt like a millennial falcon… stars go blurry… hold on to your hats kind of acceleration. And it is not just the stars going blurry with this rate of change, old ways of thinking about “technology” and our lives are collapsing. Our technology and the way it impacts our lives can’t be in separate sections of the book store any more.

In the news we hear about personal privacy, fake news, a toxic Internet, oversharing about or food or kids on social media, etc. How do we merge this reality with conversations about relationships, wellness, mindfulness, being socially conscious, keeping current on what’s real, etc.? Much of this has been magnified with the Global Pandemic of 2020, the Elections of 2020, etc. Much of which are still impacting where we are today in 2023.

How much time are we actually spending?

• On average, children ages 8–12 in the United States spend 4–6 hours a day watching or using screens. Teens spend up to 9 hours. American Academy of Pediatrics Feb. 2020.
• About three-in-ten U.S. adults say they are ‘almost constantly’ online — Pew Research Center, March 2021.

Impact on relationships

Six out of 10 adults are concerned about the influence technology has on their relationship with their children, and nearly one out of four wish they had more information about technology and parenting, but don’t know where to turn. Dr. David Schramm with Utah State University Extension

Impact on sleep

Experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the effects of blue light from these electronic devices on the sleep-wake cycle. An estimated two in three teenagers regularly sleep less than the recommended amount, and screen time may be responsible for sleep deprivation and other problems. Sleep Foundation | Screen Time and Insomnia For Teens

Impact on our bodies

• There is now something called computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, marked by blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. American Optometric Association | Computer Vision Syndrome
• Our eyes aren’t built to read on screens.
  Several aspects — such as viewing angles and screen glare — force our eyes to work harder than they do while studying a printed page. Washington Post | Kids Computer Eye Strain

How can I guide my online students on how to use — and — not use their devices?

Another sneaky hope of my Technology & Culture Seminar will be to guide my online students to think about how they should consider their device usage and perhaps they may realize it is time wasted on apps and games? I am personally continually thinking about this too. I should consider the same questions that I ask of my students:

Is it an accident that we found each other in this online course merely because of registration? Perhaps we found each other because we are figuring this thing we call technology all out together and trying to stay sane in the process?

Take a listen to #GDU2023 advisors and partners explain how screens, devices and social media have had an impact on us.

What’s your answer ti the question? Why do you unplug? Is it to share a smile? Encourage self-care? Better mental health? Or what about having a real conversation? For more information be sure to visit, Why Unplugging Matters — Unplug Collaborative