National Day of Unplugging – March 5, 2027

National Day of Unplugging
Categories:
Tags:
Technology
Where:
International
Date change rule:
First Friday of March
Holiday emoji:
📵

National Day of Unplugging invites everyone to step away from screens every first Friday in March. This 24-hour digital detox promotes real-world connection and mindfulness. Commit to disconnecting from technology to recharge, reflect, and engage with your surroundings and loved ones.

Want to sponsor National Day of Unplugging? Learn how

Expected National Day of Unplugging Deals

As a ‘Cause’ holiday, National Day of Unplugging focuses on awareness and personal well-being rather than commercial deals. However, many organizations and brands offer resources or special programs designed to support a digital detox. Look for apps like Headspace and Calm offering free meditation sessions or discounted subscriptions. Brands like Light Phone might highlight their minimalist devices. Local wellness centers or outdoor activity groups may host tech-free events. The official organizers at Reboot encourage participants to share their unplugging experiences using #NationalDayOfUnplugging. We will update this page with confirmed live programs as March approaches.

Platform Guide for National Day of Unplugging

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDayOfUnplugging. Share how your workplace encourages employees to disconnect and recharge for improved well-being.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDayOfUnplugging. Organize a community event or family challenge to go screen-free and share your experiences.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDayOfUnplugging. Post visuals of your unplugged activities, like reading a book, spending time in nature, or enjoying a meal with loved ones.

Social Media Tips for National Day of Unplugging

Individuals

Challenge yourself to a full 24 hours without screens. Spend time outdoors, read a physical book, cook a meal from scratch, or simply engage in conversation with friends and family without digital distractions.

Creators

Document your journey before and after unplugging, sharing the benefits you experienced. Create content around tips for a successful digital detox or showcase unique tech-free hobbies.

Brands

Encourage employees to take a digital break, perhaps by offering tech-free zones or organizing a company-wide unplugging challenge. Promote products or services that support mindfulness, outdoor activities, or real-world connection.

Organizations & Brands for National Day of Unplugging

  1. Reboot

    Reboot is a Jewish arts and culture non-profit that created the National Day of Unplugging. Their mission is to inspire people to make intentional choices about their technology use and foster deeper human connections.

  2. Headspace

    Founded in 2010 by Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson, Headspace is a popular meditation and mindfulness app. It offers guided meditations, sleep aids, and mindful movement exercises, helping users reduce screen time and improve mental well-being.

  3. Moment

    Moment is a screen time tracking and digital wellness app designed to help users understand and reduce their phone usage. It offers coaching, daily limits, and family features to encourage healthier tech habits.

  4. Calm

    Launched in 2012 by Michael Acton Smith and Alex Tew, Calm is a leading app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation. It provides guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing programs, promoting a peaceful alternative to digital overload.

  5. Light Phone

    The Light Phone, created by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, is a minimalist mobile phone designed to be used as little as possible. It offers essential functions like calling and texting, encouraging users to live 'lightly' and unplug from distractions.

  6. National Park Service

    Established in 1916, the National Park Service manages America's national parks, monuments, and historical sites. It encourages outdoor recreation and connecting with nature, offering an ideal setting for a digital detox and real-world exploration.

  7. Common Sense Media

    Founded in 2003 by Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization that provides education and advocacy to families to promote safe technology and media use. They offer resources for digital citizenship and healthy screen time habits.

National Day of Unplugging Hero

Sherry Turkle

Sherry Turkle is an American sociologist, psychologist, and professor at MIT, renowned for her research on human-technology interaction. Her books, 'Alone Together' and 'Reclaiming Conversation,' explore how digital devices impact our relationships and sense of self, advocating for more intentional and meaningful communication.

National Day of Unplugging timeline

2003
Parent Company

Jewish community Reboot, which established National Day of Unplugging, is founded.

June 29, 2007
The Mighty iPhone

The first iPhone is released, forever changing our lives and paving the way for a massive digital revolution.

2010
Digital Detox

Jewish company Reboot initiates National Day of Unplugging to encourage people to detox digitally and spend more time with their families and doing other activities.

2018
You Have a New Notification

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 77% of people own a smartphone and use it constantly.

2023
Global Day of Unplugging

National Day of Unplugging becomes Global Day of Unplugging as the campaign is extended to other countires.

National Day of Unplugging Media Coverage

National Day of Unplugging — WMYD (Detroit, MI)
National Day of Unplugging — KFMB (San Diego, CA)
National Day of Unplugging — NEWS8 (Washington, D.C.)
National Day of Unplugging — WTKR (Norfolk, VA)
National Day of Unplugging — WXYZ (Detroit, MI)
National Day of Unplugging — WZZM (Grand Rapids, MI)
National Day of Unplugging — WDAF (Kansas City, MO)

National Day of Unplugging - Survey Results

Data gathered by a top Tampa Marketing Agency

FULL RANKING: WHEN DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME CHECKING YOUR PHONE?
#1: When I wake up (32%)
#2: When I’m in bed going to sleep (26%)
#3: On work breaks (20%)
#4: In the bathroom (10%)
#5: On my morning commute (4%)
#6: While hanging out with friends (4%)
#7: While walking (4%)

 

IN OTHER WORDS… 
For 58% of Americans, bed is the most popular time to check their phone. 

 

WHICH DEVICE DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME ON?
#1: Smartphone (76%)
#2: Computer (17%)
#3: Tablet (7%)

 

MEN CARE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN WOMEN ABOUT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE
5% of women say they closely monitor how many “likes” they get on social media, compared to 7% of men who say the same. 

National Day of Unplugging FAQs

When is National Day of Unplugging?

In 2027, the National Day of Unplugging is observed on Friday, March 5, offering a vital opportunity for digital detox and intentional disconnection from technology.

How much time do people spend on screens daily?

Recent data suggests that screen time continues to be a significant part of daily life, with many individuals exceeding seven hours per day. The National Day of Unplugging serves as a crucial reminder to balance digital engagement with real-world experiences.

Who organizes the National Day of Unplugging?

Reboot, a non-profit organization, continues to champion the National Day of Unplugging, inspiring individuals and communities to embrace a 24-hour period of digital disconnection each year for personal well-being.

What are the benefits of unplugging?

Taking a break from screens can significantly boost mental clarity, increase productivity, and encourage engagement with hobbies and the outdoors. It provides a valuable opportunity to be present and mindful.

National Day of Unplugging Activities

  1. Put Your Phone in a Box for 24 Hours

    That's right. Challenge yourself to leave your phone unattended for a full 24 hours. See how much you're able to focus on being present, and in the moment of things without constant notifications distracting you.

  2. Throw a Dance Party

    Dancing not only increases your endorphins, which boosts your mood, but it’s also a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Salsa it out, do the twist, or bust a move. You’ll be astonished at how much more energy you have after a few groove sessions.

  3. Volunteer to Help Others

    Volunteering is not only good for the community, it’s good for your well-being too. Selfless acts of kindness have been linked to a longer life and reduced stress in humans. Boost your happiness levels today while unplugging!

Why We Love National Day of Unplugging

  1. Powering-down removes unhealthy feelings of jealousy due to social media.

    Research shows that 1 in 3 people feel worse after visiting social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and overall more dissatisfied with their lives. To be honest, not every interaction with social media is a negative one. But typically, our own experience validates their research. Powering-down for a healthy period of time provides ample time to recalibrate oneself and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given, by living life presently.

  2. Unplugging combats the phenomenon of FOMO

    FOMO – a.k.a. the fear of missing out.has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by tech advances. Our social media streams are ever-populated with everything happening all around us. Within this constant stream of notifications, our fear of missing out continues to grow. Turning off social media and finding contentment in our present space is a healthy alternative.

  3. Life – at its best, is happening right in front of you

    Every day is different from the last. These experiences rarely repeat themselves. Daily conversations are unfiltered and authentic. But if we are too busy with our noses buried in the latest Snapchat story feed, or constantly checking what’s trending on Twitter, we’re gonna miss all of it.

National Day of Unplugging dates

Year Date Day
2026 March 6 Friday
2027 March 5 Friday
2028 March 3 Friday
2029 March 2 Friday
2030 March 1 Friday