Screen Free Week – May 3, 2027

Screen Free Week
Categories:
Tags:
AwarenessTechnology
Where:
International
Date change rule:
Week starting with the 1st Monday of May
Holiday emoji:
📵

Screen-Free Week encourages everyone to power down their digital devices and engage with the world around them, observed annually in the first week of May. From May 4-10, 2026, millions will participate in this global initiative to foster healthier relationships with technology. Take a break from screens to rediscover hobbies, spend time outdoors, and connect with loved ones.

Want to sponsor Screen Free Week? Learn how

Expected Screen Free Week Deals

Screen-Free Week focuses on awareness rather than commercial deals, emphasizing the importance of digital wellness. Organizations like the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC), now known as Fairplay, champion the initiative, often partnering with local libraries and community centers to host screen-free events. Bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and toy retailers like Melissa & Doug might highlight non-digital products, while outdoor gear brands like REI could promote activities that encourage getting outside. Educational platforms like Common Sense Media offer resources for families seeking balance. Look for local park districts and museums to offer special programming. We will update this page with confirmed live events and resources as May 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for Screen Free Week

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #ScreenFreeWeek. Share insights on workplace digital wellness or host a ‘lunch & learn’ about tech-life balance.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ScreenFreeWeek. Create a community event for local screen-free activities or share family-friendly unplugging tips.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #ScreenFreeWeek. Share quick tips for reducing screen time, statistics on digital well-being, or challenge followers to an hour of unplugged time.

Social Media Tips for Screen Free Week

Individuals

Challenge yourself to a full week without non-essential screens. Try reading a physical book, playing board games, or exploring a local park. Document your journey and share your favorite unplugged moments.

Creators

Produce content (before or after the week) showcasing your favorite screen-free hobbies, a 'day in the life' without devices, or a tutorial on engaging in offline activities. Encourage your audience to share their own experiences.

Brands

Launch a 'digital detox' campaign offering non-screen-related products or services. Partner with a local organization to sponsor an outdoor event or a creative workshop. Share resources on mindful technology use with your community.

Top Brands for Screen Free Week

  1. Fairplay (formerly CCFC)

    Founded in 1993 as the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, this advocacy group works to end the commercial exploitation of children. They are the primary organizers behind Screen-Free Week, promoting healthy childhoods free from excessive commercialism and screen time.

  2. Common Sense Media

    Established in 2003 by Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media provides families with independent ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, and websites. They offer valuable resources and advice on media use, digital citizenship, and screen time management for children.

  3. National Park Service

    Created in 1916, the National Park Service manages 429 national park sites across the U.S. They offer countless opportunities for screen-free outdoor recreation, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing, encouraging visitors to connect with nature.

  4. LEGO

    Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Denmark, LEGO is renowned for its interlocking plastic bricks. The company promotes creative, hands-on play, offering an engaging alternative to digital entertainment for children and adults alike.

  5. Hasbro

    One of the largest toy and game companies in the world, Hasbro was founded in 1923 by the Hassenfeld brothers. They produce popular board games like Monopoly and Scrabble, providing classic screen-free entertainment for families and friends.

  6. Headspace

    Co-founded by Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson in 2010, Headspace is a digital health company focusing on mindfulness and meditation. While an app, it promotes practices that encourage stepping away from constant digital engagement to focus on mental well-being.

  7. Libraries Without Borders

    Founded in 2007 by Patrick Weil, Libraries Without Borders works to expand access to information and education globally. They support initiatives that promote reading and learning through physical books and community programs, offering screen-free engagement.

Screen Free Week Hero

Marie Winn

Marie Winn is an American author and journalist known for her critical examination of television's impact on children and families. Her 1977 book, 'The Plug-In Drug: Television, Children, and the Family,' was a seminal work that sparked widespread discussion and laid foundational arguments for the benefits of reducing screen time, influencing movements like Screen-Free Week.

History of Screen Free Week

Screen-Free Week is celebrated in the first week of May every year. People who participate in a screen-free week do so to connect with other people and communities, as well as explore the world beyond the digital sphere.

Screen-Free Week involves people switching off their devices and engaging mindfully with the world around them. It is an opportunity for people to exercise their imaginations, explore their neighborhoods, and indulge their curiosity about what and who is around them.

Screen-Free Week began as TV-Turnoff Week to get U.S. children away from their televisions and out into the world around them. People have become increasingly concerned about the lack of physical exercise among children in the U.S. since the advent of television.
Additionally, the organizers of Screen-Free Week recognize the importance of play for children. Play is scientifically proven to be a great way to learn about the world around us and how things work.

With the development of technology, T.V.s aren’t the only screens that people find themselves in front of. Office workers are in front of screens all day as part of their jobs and now almost all recreation has become limited to screens. This means that even when people are off work, they’re watching shows on their computers.

The increasing digitization of our lives has made things more convenient, but it causes its own problems. The blue light of the screen results in insomnia in many people, as the brain believes that it is daylight. Additionally, it has caused a greater disconnection between people and communities. So, Screen-Free Week is an attempt to encourage people to get away from the thrall of their screens and out into the physical reality of their lives.

Screen Free Week timeline

1978
Jerry Mander Encourages Eliminating T.V.

Mander, an activist, and author, writes the book “Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television.”

1994
TV-Turnoff Week Starts

An organization called TV-Free America champions TV-Turnoff Week, which is promoted by magazines like “Adbusters.”

2008
The Week is Renamed

Adbusters renames TV-Turnoff Week to Digital Detox Week since it is evident by now that media is being consumed through more devices than just television.

2010
C.C.F.C Takes Over

TV-Free America, now renamed to Center for Screen Time Awareness, asks Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (C.C.FC) to take over, and the week is renamed again.

Screen Free Week FAQs

When is Screen Free Week?

In 2027, Screen-Free Week will take place from Monday, May 3 through Sunday, May 9, encouraging individuals and families to explore the joys of life beyond screens. This annual observance serves as a vital reminder to prioritize digital wellness.

How many people participate in Screen-Free Week?

Participation in Screen-Free Week encompasses a wide global audience, with an estimated 10 million people taking part in various activities. This collective effort highlights a shared commitment to fostering healthier relationships with technology.

What are the benefits of going screen-free?

The advantages of a digital detox extend to reduced stress and anxiety, fostering deeper family bonds, and boosting overall mental well-being. Taking a break from screens allows for a greater appreciation of the immediate environment and personal interests.

What activities can I do during Screen-Free Week?

Consider activities like writing letters, learning a new instrument, volunteering, or simply having extended conversations with loved ones. The goal is to fill time with enriching, non-digital experiences that foster creativity and connection.

Screen Free Week Activities

  1. Go camping with your family

    Get as far away from your screens as physically possible by going camping with your family or friends. Take some time to enjoy the great outdoors!

  2. Pick up a book

    We all have books we’ve been meaning to get around to reading. Screen-Free Week is a great time to settle in and finally read them.

  3. Try a new hobby

    Screens prevent us from picking up things that might interest us. If you’ve been wanting to take up knitting, painting, woodworking, or anything else, this is a great time to start.

5 Interesting Facts About Screen Time

  1. The kids aren’t alright

    Research concludes that today’s children spend twice as much time in front of screens than they do playing outside.

  2. The C.C.F.C. has a new name

    The host of Screen-Free Week, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (C.C.F.C), is now known as Fairplay.

  3. Screen time can cause body aches

    A growing number of people report neck and shoulder pain as a result of staring at screens all day.

  4. Too much screen time affects attention

    Attention spans are growing shorter every year and screen time is likely to blame for it.

  5. Empathy can be impaired

    If people spend too much time watching T.V., or working in front of their screens, their ability to empathize and connect with other people gets affected.

Why We Love Screen Free Week

  1. We want a break from screens

    Screen-Free Week offers everyone a great opportunity to get away from screens and rest our eyes and our minds. It’s also a chance to reconnect with the outside world.

  2. We want kids to play outside

    Children typically spend more time in front of screens than they do in school. We think it’s important to have a week set aside to create healthy habits, like playing outside.

  3. We want to get our hands dirty

    Technology is convenient, but we miss working with our hands. Screen-Free Week is a great way to get into gardening, baking, sewing, and other hobbies.

Screen Free Week dates

Year Date Day
2026 May 4–10 Monday–Sunday
2027 May 3–9 Monday–Sunday
2028 May 1–7 Monday–Sunday
2029 May 7–13 Monday–Sunday
2030 May 6–12 Monday–Sunday