Screen Shutoff Day is not a new concept, but it’s one I’m going to be embracing starting the week of May 29.

Initially, I wanted to take away the TV for the entire summer break and severely limit other screen time, such as computers, Leapsters and phones. Then I realized that to ban the kids from most of their screen time with no warning would probably A. incite a revolt, and B. cause me to regret my decision as I would no doubt be, at least at first, constantly trying to come up with activities for the kids to do in lieu of their precious screen time. They are only allowed two hours a day (this is a combination of screens, not two hours per screen) or so as it is.

So I decided instead to restrict all screen usage for one day each week during their summer vacation. Instead, they will have to rely purely on their imaginations and ingenuity. Anyone claiming boredom will get a very unpleasant chore.

Lest I sound strict and overbearing, a la Tiger Mom, let me assure you that I am actually quite easygoing and not prone to over-discipline my kids.

However.

We are all way too tied to our gadgets, myself especially. I’ve gotten to the point where if I have even a few minutes of downtime, instead of relaxing and just enjoying the break, I feel like I have to be doing something. Heaven forbid that my mind should wander.

I love technology as much as the next person, but I also see that as much freedom as it gives us, it enslaves us too. For most of my life, I went all over the place without a cell phone. Now my phone is like another appendage and if I leave it at home, the world just might end. I love my phone, but I loathe it too.

I see my kids, really, most kids, becoming far too reliant on technology as well and it bothers me. I want them to enjoy the beauty and brevity of childhood, which in my mind includes stretches of time with absolutely nothing to do but lie down in the grass and find shapes in the clouds. Most of my favorite childhood memories involve the use of my imagination, not sitting in front of a box.

I’m also going to put this ban on myself, unless there’s something I absolutely have to do for work. I think it will be refreshing to be virtually technology-free for one day a week.

So, my challenge for you is this: Implement Screen Shutoff Day in your home during this summer vacation and let’s get a discussion started in June about how the project is going and the ways it affects our kids. If you work outside the home, you can put it into effect in the evening one day a week instead, or pick one day on the weekend.

If nothing else, it’ll be a fun experiment to see what our kids can come up with when left completely to their own devices. Personally, I’m excited.

Tags: children, computer, kids, parenting, screen shutoff, screen time, summer vacation, television, TV