The challenge, which focuses on leisure and hobby, is already in its seventh edition: instead of videogames, televisions, tablets and smartphones, play, exercise, reading and spending more time with family and friends. That's the target.
“Reducing the time we spend in front of screens is a fundamental issue, both from an educational point of view and from a public health point of view. In recent years, there has been an increase in social mobilization with the initiative, which has led to an increasing participation year after year, from early childhood education to high school students”, explains Eneko Jorajuria, Director of the Northern Basque Country of the initiative.
On Radio Irulegi, they recounted their experience in the No Screen Challenge at the Ortizbar School, highlighting that families had come together more to make plans with their children’s friends as an alternative to screens. One teacher explained, “Start early, they’re afraid they’re not going to meet the challenge. But it starts and the collective force takes over, they are enthusiastic about getting points.” In fact, they have identified six moments of the day when they use the most screens and earn a point for each of those moments when they do not use screens. Points are for the entire class or school, trying to avoid competition.
"We don't judge each other, because the reality in each other's homes is very different, and we talk about all this every morning."
“We don’t judge each other, because the reality of each one’s home is very different, and we talk about all this every morning, how was the day before without screens, where they had the greatest temptation, what they did instead of being in front of the screen...”, says the teacher.
The results of previous editions are considered very positive by the organization: among other things, if well organized, 95% meet the challenge, the parents have detected positive changes in their daily habits, and the teachers say that thanks to the initiative, the students have developed a critical attitude towards screens.