Eastern Michigan University’s media ecology class is challenging students to “unplug” Feb. 27.
The event, sponsored by EMU’s Journal of Narrative Theory, stems from the National Day of Unplugging, where people pledge to not use media devices from sunset March 1 to sunset March 2.
EMU professor Christine Tracy is coordinating the event to bring more awareness to technological dependence.
“It’s not that technology is bad and that not using it is good,” Tracy said. “It’s about returning the use of technology, in a conscious way, to not being our master. We need to become skilled and conscious so we’re using constructive ways to taking a step away on a more regular basis.”
PBS News said teens send 60 texts a day, and TechCrunch.com reported Americans spend an average of 6.5 hours each month on Facebook.
The media ecology class will also be in the Student Center asking students to sign pledges to not use media devices for 24 hours.
The Unplug EMU Facebook page will announce further details as they become available.