PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The coronavirus pandemic made many people dependent on technology to connect with each other, maybe to a fault. Now, an organization is recommending a 24-hour reprieve from the constant electronic contact.
The Unplugged Collaborative is celebrating the National Day of Unplugging this week. Despite the name, Executive Director Kim Anenberg-Cavallo says it's a global effort.
"The idea that everywhere in the world, between sundown on March 5 to sundown March 6, there are thousands and thousands of people, families, religious institutions, schools, all these different organizations that are answering this global call to action, together -- that’s very powerful," Anenberg-Cavallo said.
"It is really an opportunity to talk to the people around you about everyone’s connections through technology, and habits and maybe waiting to make changes."
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Anenberg-Cavallo says, however, there is no pressure to go the distance.
"You can participate in this and answer the call to action in doing something for one hour, without screens. So it doesn’t have to be a full 24 hours. We don’t want anyone to feel guilt or shame or intimidation that this is some kind of detox," she said.
The National Day of Unplugging website offers ideas on how to use those 24 hours, for adults and kids.
"You can build a fort out of sheets and blankets, or you can build it out of cardboard boxes, take a picture of it, upload, and we've got great prizes."
Of course, the uploading would take place after the Day of Unplugging.
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She says there are also more altruistic options.
"Make some lunches for people that are living on the street near you. Pass out bottles of water, because it’s definitely shown that when you perform acts of kindness, you elevate your own mood and feel happier."
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Anenberg-Cavallo's name.