Screen-free week

It had to happen — there's now an International Screen-Free Week (well, actually it has been around since 1994) for those who want to swap the digital life for something other than pixels.

This year it takes place between 4-10 May, and while it doesn't make any sense for the Diary to be promoting it, the period is an opportunity for children (and their parents) to lift their heads and smell the roses. Maybe even talk instead of texting?

Anyone who wants further information can check it out on screen-free.org. Note that the initiative is presented by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and it's all American.

Meanwhile, closer to home, a survey is being undertaken by Early Childhood Ireland on how children are using technology in their homes, places of care, and education.

ECI is especially interested in the views of parents of young children, and is inviting the completion of a short survey here.