According to survey reports, Canadians spend an average of 8.2 hours per day on electronic media. To help people disconnect from electronic media and spend more time interacting face-to-face with their families, the Canadian province of Alberta recently launched an initiative—Unplug and Play Family Day. On this day, electronic devices are not to be used, and family members are encouraged to communicate face-to-face. Families who have immigrated to Canada can follow this practice by trying to put down their phones and iPads to have a meaningful conversation with the family and friends around them.
Currently, the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario observe Family Day on the third Monday of February, while British Columbia observes Family Day on the second Monday of February each year. On Family Day (the third Monday of February each year), everyone turns off their phones, iPads, and computers, dedicating their time entirely to face-to-face gatherings and communication with loved ones.
Researchers state that children, in particular, benefit more from reduced exposure to electronic media. Jennifer Sandrelli (transliteration) from a northern British Columbia community early childhood center says that children today start being exposed to electronic media as early as 1 to 1.5 years old, often because parents hand them phones to play with at the dinner table or in stores for a moment of peace. However, pediatric experts advise against exposing children under the age of 2 to screens, and older children should have their screen time limited to no more than 2 hours per day. This is because children under two need face-to-face interaction to practice verbal expression, speaking, singing, and reading. A study from the University of California shows that young children who are not exposed to mobile phones or iPads have a stronger ability to understand the emotions of others. On the other hand, parents reducing their own electronic media usage also benefits their children. It is now common for parents to leave their children aside while burying their heads in text messages or online chats. Psychologist Steiner-Adair believes that from a neurological perspective, people have significantly weaker empathy when texting. Children who try in vain to gain their parents' attention may feel neglected and anxious.
To help people get through Unplug and Play Family Day and discover the joys of life beyond electronic media, the Alberta Family and Community Support Services has organized various family activities in many communities, such as swimming, playing soccer, ice skating, and skiing. Kim Williston, head of the Beaumont Community Services Center in Alberta, says that since participating in this initiative, he has seen changes in the lives of local residents. At the very least, people have discovered on Family Day that they can live a fulfilling life without being online. The Alberta Family and Community Support Services began organizing the Unplug and Play Family Day initiative in 2001. In the first year, 16 town communities participated. This year, it has grown to over 30, and the organized activities even include selecting the community that is most thorough in its "unplugging."