It’s time to reconnect with your family and spend some real quality time together—without the distractions of your phones! Here are some tips to help everyone unplug and truly enjoy being together. It’s time for a digital detox!
When you think back to your own childhood, you probably remember riding your bike around the neighborhood, playing at a friend’s house, or enjoying Saturday morning cartoons. But what about your kids? Are their favorite activities the same?
Has texting replaced hanging out with friends in person? Does your child play games on their smartphone instead of heading to the playground? If so, maybe it’s time for a digital detox for the whole family.
While technology is useful, having it constantly around can be exhausting. When everyone is glued to their own screens at the dining room table, real relationships take a hit. While it’s important for kids to be comfortable using technology, it shouldn’t come at the cost of their social skills. A digital detox can help reinforce those soft skills, encourage an appreciation for nature, foster empathy and communication, and bring everyone closer together.
Unplugging the family can bring back those simpler times you remember, like having meaningful conversations at dinner or enjoying a Sunday afternoon together. Stepping away from the constant stream of news and social media can also reduce feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness.
Taking a break from screens can also boost your kids’ sense of self-sufficiency. Social media has created a culture of FOMO (fear of missing out), but helping your kids enjoy activities without constantly needing to post about them can lead to richer, more authentic lives.
To ensure success with your unplugged time, discuss the rules in advance. Maybe you’ll keep a cellphone on hand for emergencies but keep it powered off unless needed. Or perhaps everyone will lock their phones away for the duration of the getaway or just turn them off together.
Older kids might complain about feeling disconnected from their friends, so it’s important to explain why you’re having a family digital detox. Just like starting a new diet can be tough when you love sweets, it might be challenging for teens to be without their phones for the first day or two. They might complain or even shut down, but by planning fun and engaging activities, you can help everyone enjoy their time away from screens.
Consider doing the digital detox while on vacation, creating closeness through new experiences. A peaceful, family-friendly spot like a forest with streams, lakes, and mountains can be a great choice for all ages.
Fill your vacation with fun, age-appropriate activities. Swimming is enjoyable for everyone, and younger kids can have fun playing by the lakeshore or wading in the water. Bird-watching or fishing can bring the family together and help your kids appreciate nature. A little friendly competition to see who can spot the most birds or catch the most fish can be fun, too.
If you don’t know how to fish, think about hiring a guide for a family lesson on the lake. Learning new skills as a family is always fun, and the pride your children feel from catching a fish and eating it for dinner is something they can’t get from beating a video game level.
Balance relaxing activities with some exercise to counteract screen time. A mountain hike offers great exercise and stunning views. Canoe or kayak trips can make your kids feel like explorers as they paddle to an island or down a river.
In the evenings, enjoy watching the sunset over the mountains, telling spooky stories around a campfire, or stargazing and appreciating the natural world.
After the trip, consider making it a regular thing to have a day each month (or week) where you unplug and connect as a family. On these family days, you could host a board game night, visit a museum, go on a bike ride or hike, or spend time with family friends or grandparents.
By cutting down on screen time, you’ll have more moments to spend together doing things you used to enjoy as a family.
Soon enough, your kids might even start coming to you with ideas for the next digital detox. Have you ever tried a digital detox? If so, how was your experience?