Digital Blackout

Gr 6 Up—What if you were asked to go without technology for an entire week? In this thought-provoking and inspiring short film that's part documentary, part call to action, that's exactly what several hundred Seattle-area high school students were invited to do. Dubbed "The Social Experiment," the teens were challenged to disconnect for one week from all forms of digital communication. While many were enthusiastic, several expressed anxiety and insecurity about going without texting and Facebook. Over the course of the week, many teens experienced success, withdrawal, and even a new appreciation for a more simple time when social media didn't exist. In the end, most students expressed an awareness of how they spent their time and, in turn, encouraged others to implement their own digital blackouts to discover just how over-connected they are. Interspersing testimonials from the teen participants with clips from experts in the fields of sociology and communications provides additional substance and context to the film. This experiment is clearly intended to raise self-awareness in students, but the film also provides ample opportunities for discussion among teachers, parents, and consumers of digital communication, regardless of age. Support materials include a teacher's guide filled with resources for schools to execute their own do-it-yourself blackout. The DVD contains extras such as "Media Coverage," "Movie Trailers," "Student Interviews," and "University Research." A timely and needed look at our over-reliance on technology for communication purposes in the digital age.—Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH