Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Myhre
SYNOPSIS
Designates first Friday of May of each year as "NJ’s Unplug Day".
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the first Friday of May of each year as "NJ’s Unplug Day".
Whereas, Americans spend an average of more than five hours per day on their phones; and
Whereas, In 2024, more than half of Americans wanted to cut down on phone usage in 2025 and almost half felt as though they were addicted to their devices; and
Whereas, Psychological functioning improves when constant connection to the online world is reduced; and
Whereas, The amount of time children spend face-to-face with peers during leisure time has decreased, and this reduction in social engagement may negatively affect children and adolescents’ development and mental health, which has also been declining; and
Whereas, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limits on screen time for children at all ages; however, despite this recommendation, screen time has been increasing beginning in infancy, fueled by portable devices and amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, The annual observance of NJ Unplug Day provides an enjoyable and innovative way to improve individuals’ well-being by reducing dependence on entertainment screen media, including television, video games, computers, and hand-held devices, thus offering time for individuals to go outside, read, create, explore, and spend more time with family and friends; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The first Friday of May of each year is designated as "NJ’s Unplug Day".
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the day and call upon public officials, private organizations, and the citizens of this State to observe "NJ’s Unplug Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the first Friday of May of each year as "NJ’s Unplug Day". Annual observance of NJ Unplug Day provides an enjoyable and innovative way to improve individuals’ well-being by reducing dependence on electronic devices. According to a 2024 survey, Americans spend an average of more than five hours per day on their phones. More than half of Americans wanted to cut down on phone usage in 2025 and almost half of those surveyed felt as though they were addicted to their devices. According to a 2025 study, psychological functioning improves when constant connection to the online world is reduced. Another study asserts that the amount of time children spend face-to-face with peers during leisure time has decreased, which may negatively affect their development and mental health. Finally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limits on screen time for children at all ages; however, despite this recommendation, screen time has been increasing beginning in infancy, fueled by portable devices and amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic.