Global Day of Unplugging starts tonight
Mar 7, 2025, 3:00 PM
SALT LAKE CITY — The 2025 Global Day of Unplugging is from sundown March 7 to sundown March 8. It’s meant to encourage people to disconnect from the electronic world and live life without screens.
This is the 16th annual Global Day of Unplugging, but experts think it’s more relevant than ever this year with so much information coming out on the negative effects of being on screens.
“The impact it’s had on mental health and even just developing connections, and communication,” said Gabriela Murza, a Utah State University Extension assistant professor
How do people feel about the Global Day of Unplugging?
Entire generations are being raised with ever-present screens. Disconnecting even for one day could be a problem for kids and teens.
But, KSL NewsRadio ran into one group of northern Utah teens who were on-board.
“I think that it’d be really good for everyone because everyone could like, connect with others more,” said one local Utah teen.
“I feel like it’d be kind of hard, but it’s good for you to unplug from your screens a little bit because sometimes people can get addicted or feel like they need to be so attached to their phones that the second that it’s gone, they’re like, stressing,” said another 15-year-old student.
One teen gave a surprising answer.
“Honestly, I’m not on my phone that much so I think it would be easy and I think I would enjoy it,” said a 14-year-old.
It could possibly be the older, working generations that have become ultra-dependent on their screens.
Even experts expressed how difficult it can be to try and unplug while needing to get work done.
“I will try. Obviously, if I’m going to work and I need my maps, I need directions, so I will use it,” said Murza
Unplugging successfully
Murza said to be successful during the Global Day of Unplugging, it’s best to be intentional.
“Because it is something that we just use so often, we don’t even think about it when we pick up a phone and start scrolling through stuff,” said Murza
Going screen-free for 24 hours in the digital age will require some forethought.
“So being able to have a book, or being able to have an activity, go for a walk. Those kinds of plans,” said Murza.
USU sent out a press release with ways to have healthy screen time during the Global Day of Unplugging and beyond.
Some tips from USU included setting time limits on your phone usage, turning off notifications and making a list of activities you can do when you feel like scrolling on your phone.
“You may find that unplugging, even for a bit, can have positive impacts and will be something you want to do beyond March 8th,” the release said.
Find more tips on the USU Extension website.
