Thanksgiving, Unplugged

A lot of people think they can’t live without their digital devices. But this Thanksgiving many are planning to turn off their smartphones, notepads, laptops, desktops, tablets and phablets in order to have a more traditional Thanksgiving.

This is no mean feat, since studies have shown that many modern people suffer classic withdrawal symptoms when they are deprived of their connected devices. Take away their tech, and people can become anxious, depressed – unhinged, even.

However, Thanksgiving is supposed to be about people, first and foremost. You know, the warm, breathing ones that are in the room with you — as opposed to the distant ones who are calling, texting and emailing you.

It is in that spirit that The Foresters Tech Timeout survey of 1,021 Canadians was recently commissioned.

According to the survey, 45% of these Canadians indicated that “wired” behavior during the holidays is annoying. Most (69%) of them would ban the use of technology during family holiday meals, while almost half (46%) would ban the use of technology during the holidays entirely.

The company that commissioned the survey, Foresters, said it created its Tech Timeout in response to these feelings of anti-tech hostility. The Timeout calls for each family member to unplug for an hour, a meal — or even an entire holiday.

Would having an “unplugged” Thanksgiving bring families closer together? Is this something we should have in the good old U.S.A? It certainly seems like a good idea.