We are living in a culture that is addicted to computer, iPhones, iPads, and television. How many times have you seen a teenager plop down with their iPhone and immediately tune others out? (For that matter, how many times have you seen moms tuning their kids out?) Does it seem like people are more at home on their devices or in front of a screen than they are interacting with EACH OTHER?
In reading Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, much is explained about our intellectual discourse and how it has gone downhill since the advent of television and modern media. (Read it - you will be shocked.)
My family is not immune. We struggle with screens in our house. We don't have cable, but we do have Apple TVs. I try to limit tv watching, but at certain points in time it seems like a battle.
Also, left unchecked, I think my kids would stare at the iPad all day if I let them. (And, let's be honest - at times I struggle with this, too.)
I'm not anti-television, but I do believe that less is more. I would rather my whole family be engaged in something productive than just stare at a television screen.
Screen-Free Week is a great time to be intentional about turning off the screens and doing other things. My children and I came up with a list of 27 things to do during screen-free week. I'm printing this list (scroll down for the printable .PDF) for my children to refer to when they say, "I'm bored!".
Download a printable version of 27 Things To Do During Screen-Free Week
Is your family taking part in National Screen-Free Week?