The Middle School is about to embark on a very interesting experiment. Beginning September 30 and continuing through October 3rd. For four days, faculty and students are challenging themselves to unplug, turn off and put away the digital devices. The Digital Detox moment has been gaining currency nationally, recognizing the love for and utility of digital devices along with the need to "shut it all down" on occasion. What does a Digital Detox really mean? It is a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and television. It is a proactive social experiment to see what happens when we unplug. How do we feel? What do we do instead? How does the world react around us? This experience is designed to elevate our awareness and appreciation of how we use our devices and to better understand how they impact our daily lives.
Middle School language teacher Jarrett Anderson gives credit for the initiative to Haley Aronow a current ninth grader who when in middle school started The Controversy Club, a weekly gathering of students and faculty aimed at discussing current issues. Anderson was struck by the language students used when talking about their devices. Words like addiction were used to describe behavior and students were concerned about what how they saw very young children using devices. From these conversations came the imperative to try a scaled for GA version of the Detox.
In preparing for the challenge Anderson worked with other faculty and librarians along with student clubs like the Technomancers who are making a video to share with the community, laying out the rules and building support for the challenge.
So how does it work? Students and faculty sign a pledge and get a button that says "I am on a Detox". There will be a ceremonial turning off of the devices at the start and another gathering to turn back on. During this time the middle school community can participate in alternative activities like yoga, board games, and "drop everything and read" initiatives. Anderson comments. "We hope that the #DigiDetox will create new friendships, encourage fun interactions, spark great conversations at home and at school, and also lead us to a new appreciation for the ways that technology is helpful and brings us joy."
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