Moodoff Day Warns the Digital Dangers of Texting, Browsing and Posting During the Holiday Season
Sydney, Australia (PRWEB) December 11, 2013 -- Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales had shoppers reaching for their smartphones to map out the best deals and post fun-filled photos on their Facebook page. Australia-based global not-for-profit organization, Moodoff Day, is encouraging everyone to avoid excessive browsing, texting and uploading to social media sites during holiday dinners and family time. A special warning was issued to refrain from texting and posting while driving.
The holidays emphasize family and togetherness, yet many of us tend to spend much of their time in solitary pursuit of locating deals and posting photos to social media sites with their mobile devices while being with their family. It’s natural that people want to share their money saving finds and family photos with friends, but doing so can be dangerous, especially just prior to driving. Moodoff Day data shows that over 70 percent of people check their Smartphone more frequently within the first hour of making an upload, post or comment. For many, when they are notified that a response has been posted, they experience an overwhelming need to view it. That momentary distraction can lead to accidents when walking and can lead to severe injuries or be deadly when driving.
And, it is not just adults who are addicted to their technology. Children are being armed with an array of electronic devices at increasingly younger ages, which has raised concerns. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends limiting youngsters’ screen time to two hours a day. The downtime provides children with the opportunity to develop essential social skills through face-to-face contact in real-time.
Digital addiction has become a very real concern. Social media posts and updates appeal to the reward center of the brain and equates technology with rewards. Users receive a ‘treat’ or variable reward when they respond to the alluring sound of an incoming message. The user never knows when the perceived reward will be coming, causing them to respond compulsively, which causes addictive behaviour that most don’t even realize. Worse yet, the trend to immediately attend to their devices has become socially accepted, which undermines how we connect socially.
The Moodoff Day (http://www.moodoffday.org) organization was founded to draw attention to the growth of digital addition we see in our society, and the impact it has on our lives, our behaviour, work productivity and the risk it poses when it comes to driving. Enough toll has been recorded that the use of electronic devices while driving are having on families. The charity conducts an international Moodoff Day awareness event held on the last Sunday of February, during which participants in over 45 countries to date, avoid using their smartphones, tablets, laptops and video games for five hours upon waking. Moodoff Day suggests “Breakfast Before Browsing” and encourages to connect with family and friends face-to-face and without the interruption of digital devices. The next Moodoff Day will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014.
While, texting, surfing and browsing can be rewarding and provides a convenient means of bringing friends and family together, it is addicting and can have considerable impact on our relationships, well-being and lives when used irresponsibly. The Moodoff Day organization is committed to raising awareness about electronic addiction through education and the annual international Moodoff Day.
The holidays are a time for connecting with family and friends – not just through digital means. By encouraging people to avoid excessive online activities during time spend together and to avoid texting while driving, the organization hopes to preserve the lives of people around the world for many more holidays to come.
To learn more about Moodoff Day log onto Facebook and Twitter. The non-profit organization maintains an informative blog that addresses a variety of topics related to digital devices, their dangers, and solutions for safe usage. Moodoff Day can be reached by phone at +61402754764 and via email at moodoffday(at)gmail(dot)com. For more information, visit the website at http://www.moodoffday.org. Wishing you all a merry non-digital holiday.
Erik Bigalk, Moodoff Day, http://www.moodoffday.org, +61 402754764, [email protected]
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