New Study Says American Families Need A Digital Detox & I Agree
It’s funny that I saw this story this morning because just last night I was thinking that I may need to start limiting my time on social media. I’m online a lot reading news stories for work, and I’m on social media lots for work as well. I can’t lie, with all that is happening in the world, I’m becoming more and more depressed.
Reading the news constantly is wearing me down. Whether I’m doing show prep for work or just scrolling through social media, the number of stories that make me sad is increasing. There’s so much anger in regard to race, the coronavirus, and politics. It’s just overwhelming. Just today I told a friend that I may become a “crazy dog lady” way sooner than expected because humans are just making me sad.
According to new research, American families are in need of a digital detox after self-isolation. The survey asked 2,000 American parents of children aged 2-18 about their sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it’s had on their family.
Parents surveyed said they ask their children to get off a digital device an average of seven times a day. Over half of parents plan to limit their family’s screen time this summer. 45% of parents surveyed plan to limit their household’s screen time for a few hours each day. Another 28% of respondents said they even plan on holding a digital detox for a full day a few times a week.
It does make sense that all of us are using digital devices more right now. Kids can’t play with their friends, parents are limited to where they can go, and we are all staying home more. Watching television, playing video games, and scrolling through social media is what we are doing to stay occupied.
Getting away from negativity will be healthy for all of us. Below are some summer activities for families. Excellent ideas! I don’t have a family but I’m gonna try & do more things that require NOT using a digital apparatus. Wishing you all happiness this summer!
TOP 20 SUMMER-ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES DURING COVID-19
- Playing board games – 40%
- Camping the backyard – 37%
- Making arts and crafts – 36%
- Reading books – 36%
- Building blanket and pillow forts – 36%
- Making breakfast as a family – 32%
- Making a home movie theater – 30%
- Playing with water guns – 29%
- Eating popsicles – 26%
- Having water balloon fights – 24%
- Playing on the trampoline – 24%
- Playing in the sprinklers – 23%
- Making smores – 21%
- Playing flashlight tag in the backyard or neighborhood – 21%
- Flying kites – 17%
