This year, celebrate #EarthDay2017 by challenging yourself — and your family — to take a radical step.
Yes. Hit pause on your devices for the day. All of them. Even yours.
Just a minute, you say, I’ll think about that as soon as I’m done watching this cat video.
We know, it’s a tall order. But the truth is that our environment is facing enormous pressure. Adapting to a changing world will require fresh ideas, decisive action, and a willingness to change our habits. Unplugging ourselves from our screens for a day is a great way to start.
Researchers have identified three keys to a successful screen-time challenge: First, togetherness — that means everyone in the family participates, including parents. Second, clarity — make clear rules about what counts as screen time. Texting? Email? Sharing a photo? Have a family discussion. Third, planning. Provide fun activities that everyone can take part in, so your kids aren’t just moping around the house. (Check out more tips on unplugging the family from our friends at the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.)
What are we going to do with all that time? Glad you asked. Go on a bike ride. Visit the zoo. Plant a tree. Plant a sunflower seed. Go on a hike. Volunteer. (Find a project in your area.) Take the time to teach the kids about recycling — and get them involved in recycling at home. Play frisbee. Make a fairy garden.
This year, Circle is proud to sponsor a special Earth Day podcast of The Talk Show with special guest Lisa Jackson, VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at Apple. We’re excited about Lisa’s work to make Apple into a leader in environmental responsibility. In fact, the company just announced an ambitious goal: to end its reliance on mining and source its components from recycled materials. Apple also signed on to the White House’s ConnectEd initiative and has pledged $100 million to 114 underserved schools around the nation.
Once the challenge is over, celebrate your victory with a marathon YouTube session (just kidding — how about playing a board game together?) But seriously, take a moment for everyone in the family to talk about the different ways that technology creates problems, but also offer solutions. And how it can keep us apart — or bring us together.
If you’d like to start using Circle with Disney to Filter content, set Time Limits, Pause the Internet and even set BedTimes for all the connected devices in your home, head over to meetcircle.com, Amazon, Best Buy or Target to find out more and pick up one for your home!
