City challenges families to disconnect to connect

The City of Edmonton has joined seventeen municipalities in the Capital Region to encourage residents to unplug from technology and reconnect with family and friends on Family Day, February 20, 2012.

To up the stakes, these municipalities are challenging each other to see which can spend the most time unplugged. Participants can log hours on February 21 by visiting fcssaa.ab.ca, and share their stories on Facebook.

Residents have until February 22, 2012 to submit the number of hours they unplugged on Family Day.

Why Unplug?

• 73% of kids would rather play with their parents than watch TV or use the Internet. (Ikea: Play Report, 2010)
• Teens that have more than three family dinners per week are more likely to get better grades. (Casa, 2009)
• Residents in connected neighbourhoods have greater quality of life. (Shields, 2008)

In 2011, the first year for the challenge, the Town of Beaumont won the Family Day challenge by unplugging from technology for a community total of 13,495 hours. The collective unplugged total for all ten communities participating last year was more than 15,000 hours.

Need inspiration? Explore the best Family Day events the City of Edmonton has to offer.

Family Day Unplugged is an initiative organized and promoted in cooperation with: Town of Beaumont, Brazeau County, Village of Breton, City of Edmonton, City of Fort Saskatchewan, Town of Devon, Town of Drayton Valley, Town of Gibbons, City of Leduc, Leduc County, Town of Morinville, Town of Redwater, City of Spruce Grove, City of St. Albert, Town of Stony Plain, Strathcona County and Sturgeon County.

For more information:

Dianne Kuntz