#NoSo November

Part of Unplugged’s mission is to build community awareness around healthier technology habits. With that in mind, we invite you to join us in celebrating NoSo November! November is social media detox month and a great way for Adults and Teens to build a healthier tech-life balance. #NoSo offers 3 different levels for reducing tech in your life, depending on how aggressive you want to be. If you are looking for a softer approach, check out our suggestions below to cut back on social media and technology in your life.

• Incremental Change - Start by removing Social Media apps 1 day a week. Then remove them during the entire work week, when you have less time to scroll. Finally, see if you can go through the work week & weekend without them. Pretty soon, Social Media is gone from your phone and your life! As James Clear recommended in his book Atomic Habits, little adjustments can lead to more lasting change than deleting everything all at once.
• Introduce Friction- Reduce distractions from your phone with physical blocking devices like Unpluq or Brick. With other solutions, the "key" that re-enables distractions is always present. Having a physical key means you can leave the thing that unlocks your apps in a different room or with someone, turning your phone into a distraction-free device until you make an effort to retrieve it.
• Make Thanksgiving “Unplugged” - Whether you are hosting or visiting, feel more connected this Thanksgiving by asking everyone to put away their phones for the whole day. Ask people to turn phones off, set to “Do Not Disturb” or put them in a central location away from the crowd. It will be easier to get away from your device when everyone does it together.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT

Parenting our Kids in a Digital World

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 7 to 8:30pm at Saxe Auditorium

Moderated by Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi and featuring Scott Driscoll, Cyber Safety advocate and CEO of Internet Safety Concepts, this NCPS event is free of charge and no pre-registration is required. This informative session will help you learn how to navigate the latest social media apps, set privacy controls, explore the positives and negatives of photo sharing, understand cyberbullying laws, and effectively communicate with your kids about safe technology use and online gaming limits.

Stop by the Unplugged table to say hi and learn about our Holiday Gift Guide!

Articles Worth Your Time

Setting screen time limits can be an uncomfortable conversation, but its incredibly important for parents to regulate children's time online. This article in Fortune outlines the costs of not establishing boundaries but also explains that it's never too late to start. Click HERE to read.

Empowering kids to play, take on responsibility and explore their world are just a few ingredients that go into a happier childhood. This substack post outlines 13 ways parents can encourage healthier childhood experiences. Click HERE to read.

This opinion piece from the New York Times reviews survey results of Gen Z adults' attitudes and feelings about Social Media. They have a few regrets. Click HERE to read.

Help New Canaan Unplug

If you are interested in creating a healthier relationship with technology for our children, please check out our survey HERE to let us know how you can help.

New Canaan Unplugged is a parent-run group completely independent from the New Canaan Public School System and the Town of New Canaan.