MoodOff: Smartphone Addiction

We are a harm prevention charity, called MoodOff Day, and we are trying to reduce the negative impact smartphones are having on society. But we need your help!


On average, Australians spend 2 and a half hours on their phone every day - with numbers even higher for young adults and teens. Whether that is checking emails, taking calls, scrolling through social media, surfing the web, listening to music or buying clothes online… the list is endless.

And, while this is all good and well, and smartphones have allowed us to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world with just a click of a button, there is no denying the fact: we are all addicted to our smartphones and it is impacting our lives in negative ways.

We hope to bring wide-scale awareness to the global epidemic of smartphone addiction, by addressing these three key areas:


-  Bullying and impact in schools: with the age that kids are buying/gifted/receiving phones is quickly getting younger and younger, meaning kids as early as 8yo are now owning phones. Apart from the largely reported distraction during school hours, and so many children online, there is a growing concern and evidence of online bullying and unmonitored exposure to uncensored content. 


-   Public Safety, particularly texting while driving. The number of distracted drivers who are texting while driving is on a rapid increase. So too is the road related incidents that directly result from this, quickly become one of the greatest concerns for motorists - especially younger drivers.



-   Social impact: looking specifically at our relationships with technology in the home and the influence this plays on the family dynamic. Are we being present with our children? Further looking at the ways in which adults engage with their phones at home, to see the way in which they act as role models for their children. Let alone the dwindling social etiquette we are seeing as a result from inconsiderate and un-restrained smartphone use.



Every year, MoodOff Day hosts its annual smartphone addiction awareness day “Breakfast Before Browsing” on the last Sunday of February. We ask people to pledge a morning (5 hours) without their phones or screen time, to encourage being “present” in their life. It’s a great opportunity to take a break from habitual use of our smartphones - to have breakfast with the family, meet up with friends for coffee, or take a leisurely stroll around the park. 

Really, it is a fun way to self-reflect just how dependent you are on your phone. We invite you to pledge and support our cause...


Your donation will help us:

·      Increase awareness and reduce social risks and negative impact through media and social campaigning,

 
·      Increase the reach and exposure that MoodOff Day has.


·      Implement and fund a national school-based smartphone education program, directly addressing online bullying to help reduce incidents of self-harm and suicide.

 
·      Further support and promote pre-existing initiatives that work to reduce road-related incidents and fatalities as a direct result of texting and driving.


With "Breakfast Before Browsing" taking place very soon, we are asking for donations to help promote the event and bring in funds for various events and campaigns throughout the year - including our education program!

We aren't asking for a lot, just a little, to help us reach our goal and bring awareness to as many people as possible. Thanks for your support!

For more information about MoodOff Day, please visit the website: www.moodoffday.org/need-a-break/