Board game distributor sponsors Turnoff Week

TV, hand-held devices and computers have shrunk the world, allowing us to communicate across previously unimaginable differences. However, excessive use of these devices distances us from those closest to us - we end up watching TV or grooving to our own personal mp3 players rather than speaking to each other. That's why the Center for Screen-Time Awareness has created Turnoff Week. Turnoff Week is for interpersonal relationships what Earth Hour is for energy consciousness: a chance to unplug and remember the importance of our human environment.

In addition to providing some scary facts about the extent of our media addiction, Screentime.org organizes Turnoff Week on April 20th through 26th so that we have "time to think, read, create, and do the things we never have time for." People interested in supporting Turnoff Week on a larger-than-individual scale can order an Organizer's Kit CD that includes a step-by-step organizing toolkit, facts sheets, suggested screen-free activities, curricular suggestions, posters and Screen-Time-Reduction plans.

And unplugging doesn't have to be all serious - it can be fun and games. That's why board game distributor Funagain Games is sponsoring Turnoff week. Turnoff Week is not a form of electronic self-castigation, but an opportunity to tune-in to the people around us and have fun. (And, if you happen to want to buy 10 Organizer's Kits, mentioning Funagain Games will drop the price from $12.50 to $10 each and earn you a free T-shirt).

Try a board game, try a walk in the part or (gasp!) try sitting out on your porch and talking with your neighbors. How charmingly old-fashioned!