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#Disconnect2Reconnect

Join us for#GadgetFreeHour

Nov 14, 2021 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

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Pledge to switch off all gadgets and spend time with your family during this one hour

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Our Mission

Once a year, on Children’s Day, we encourage all families in India to observe #GadgetFreeHour between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

During this hour we urge parents, children, and their families to switch off all gadgets and spend time with each other – laughing, eating, playing, chatting, and experiencing the joy of connection.

About #GadgetFreeHour

#GadgetFreeHour campaign was first launched in 2019 to help parents and children experience the MAGIC and JOY of connection without any distractions.

This year, we’re back with a new, bigger edition of #GadgetFreeHour on Children’s Day, November 14, 2021.

Just 60 minutes of connecting with your children and family will help you create memories for a lifetime.

How to Take Part

Take the pledge to stay away from gadgets and spend time together on #GadgetFreeHour between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Children’s Day, November 14, 2021

Spread the word

Post videos of your pledges on your social media pages with the hashtags #GadgetFreeHour and #Disconnect2Reconnect
Inspire three others to take the pledge
Download resources and spread the word amongst your family and friends

Participate in activities

HahaHehe Challenge: Laugh out loud with your child and share that moment with us
14-Day Challenge: Fun 5-minute activities for the entire family
Get ideas to disconnect to reconnect with your children
Join our community and share your experiences
Subscribe and stay updated

HahaHehe Challenge

Spin for a fun activity to do with your child

Help Spread the Word

Take the pledge to disconnect from gadgets and spend time with your children on Children’s Day, Nov 14, 2021 between 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Join the movement and raise awareness about #GadgetFreeHour.
Download resources to help you spread the word.

Download Campaign Materials

Celebrity Pledges

Rishi Piparaiya(Author)
T M Krishna(Musician)
Sonia Agarwal(Indian Actress)
Viswanathan Anand(Chess Legend)
Chinmayi(Playback Singer)
Anushka and Akanksha(Banerjee Beats)
A V Dharmakrishnan(CEO, Ramco Cements LTD)
Sarah Ali Choudhury(International Food Expert)
Juri Barman(Bank Official)
Kiran More(Former Indian Cricketer)
Dr. Mickey Mehta(Fitness Guru)
Shan Re(Painter and Sculptor)
Dr. Sunita Maheshwari(Founder of RxDx Healthcare)
Ranjani Indrajith(Co-founder, My Chapter One Reading Gym)
Kashmira Dubash(Mompreneur)
Gursharan Preet Kaur(Indian Wrestler)
Anju Bobby George(Former Indian Athlete)
Rashmi Navada(Freelance Writer)
Dr. Bhumika Patel(IBM Ambassador)
Raksha Changappa(Pioneer Dietitian, Complex Diseases)
Deepika Kumari(Indian Archer)
Ashwini Nachappa(Indian Athlete and Actor)
Manjulatha Kalanidhi(Journalist)
Priya Kathpal(Nutritionist)

Testimonials

My younger son was the teacher and we were all students during #GadgetFreeHour. I have never seen my wife laugh so much.

SelvamParent

I am busy almost 365 days because of my business, but today our daughters asked us to play with them, on their teacher’s request. We enjoyed a lot and realized what we are missing out in our daily life. All credit goes to #GadgetFreeHour 2019.

Pasam NaveenkumarParent

We ate dinner on the porch and enjoyed the cool breeze. Then, my son played the guitar. Our phones, TV, and other gadgets were switched off. The hour flew by pleasantly. We had a good time.

Roopa MParent

My mother was very emotional. She said to specially thank you for this #GadgetFreeHour. We have not spent time like this together (my parents, my child, my wife and I), as a family, in at least 4 years

BharanidharanParent

My son went from saying, ‘No Chance’ to #GadgetFreeHour, to saying, ‘Can we have #GadgetFreeHour again tomorrow?’ after we spent a fun hour of playing together.

Rex Savio FernandoParent

Thank you for this wonderful initiative by the ParentCircle team. Got to know about my daughter’s (1.5 years old) skills and her grasping power. We were amazed to see her talent. We played many interactive games.

KarthigeyanParent

What Experts Say (2020)

Shreya SurajEducator and Artist
Dr Nithya PoornimaClinical Psychologist
Kakoli ThakurJournalist and Home Chef
Shwetambari ShettyAuthor and Fitness expert
Hon Dr. Chinmay PandyaPro Vice-Chancellor, Dev Sankskriti Vishwavidyalaya University
Rishipal ChauhanFounder-President, Jiva Institute of Vedic Sciences
Diana GraberAuthor of Raising Humans in a Digital World, and Founder of Cyberwise and Cyber Civics
Dr Kalpana Bharani KumarConsultant Peaditrician and Neonatologist - Motherhood Hospital, Chennai
Princess NaikFounder & Managing Director, Playcoop
Sneha GeorgeCounselling Psychologist, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Vasanth RConsultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Radhi Malar AnandConsultant Ophthalmologist, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Nithya RamamurthySenior Consultant Gynaecology, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Benny BenjaminSenior Consultant Pediatrician, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Jayashree JayakrishnanLactation Consultant, Fortis Malar Hospital
Dr Catherine Steiner-AdairAuthor, The Big Disconnect
Dr. Manoj Kumar SharmaSHUT clinic
Anya KamenetzAuthor, The Art of Screen Time
Dr. Jamuna RajeswaranProf. Clinical Psychology
Dr Madhu PurushothamanPediatrician
Dr Debarati HalderCyber Expert

Tips to Reconnect

Making Memories With Your Child: Why Family Bonding Is Important
Gadget Free Hour: Creative Ways To Spend Quality Time With Your Family
How Gadgets And Tech Toys Affect Toddlers
How Traditional Childhood Games Boost Brain Power
Building Your Child's Creativity Through Play
Engaging Screen-Free Activities For Your Kids
Struggling to break free from excess use of gadgets? Try these 21 effective tips to manage your screen time
Boredom buster for all age groups: Try these super fun family games to play at home
Traditional Indian indoor and outdoor games which families can play together
Weave these 20 ways to your daily routine and spend quality time with your preschooler
The health benefits of close parent-child relationships: More reasons to spend quality time with your child
Are you struggling to bond with your teen? Here are some simple ways to reconnect
What to do when your teen shuts you out of his life and refuses to spend time with the family
Family bonding: Importance of spending time with family and 6 interesting activities to promote bonding
6 effective digital detox mantras to reduce screen time for children
Is your child a nature lover? Here are a few indoor and outdoor activities to nurture his bond with nature
Is your little one complaining of boredom? Fret not. Here are 20 fun things to do with preschoolers
Cost-Effective and Engaging Ways To Limit Screen Time For Children
20 Useful And Effective Tips to Boost Parent-Child Connection
What Kids Feel About Their Parent's Use Of Gadgets. Parents, Time To Pay Some Attention
How To 'Do Nothing' And Connect With Your Family. Here Are Tips To Find Joy In Doing Nothing
Want to get closer to your child? Dr Laura Markham tells us 21 simple ways to do it
Connect with your family this Diwali, do a digital detox together
Addicted to your phone? Here are12 fun things you and your family can do without smartphones
Worried about your child's gadget use? Here are the advantages and disadvantages you need to know about
Tips for making peace with your child's screen time. A look at 12 useful and effective ones
Looking for ways to creatively engage your preschooler? Try these fun activities and games
Do you allow your child screen time while eating? Here's why it might be a bad idea and what you can do instead
Doing Activities Together Is A Good Way to Bond With Your Child And Build A Strong Relationship
Is gardening your stress buster? Here are 10 tips on growing a home garden with your children
Don't hesitate to let your child take up sports, says one of India’s most illustrious track and field athletes Anju Bobby George
Ace archer and Padma Shri awardee Deepika Kumari on sports, mental toughness, parenting, and more
Every child is blessed with some unique quality, says renowned field and track athlete Ashwini Nachappa
From photo albums to digital media: How can children learn to value special memories
How To Make Animal Hand Shadows— An Engaging And Creative Activity For Children
Stuck indoors and feeling bored? Fret not, here are 20 fun things to do with tweens and teens to drive boredom away
Fun games and activities to try at home that will keep tots happy, busy and entertained
Do you use your phone 52 times a day? Then it's time for a digital detox
How can a person become ‘indistractable’? An interview with bestselling author Nir Eyal
Screen Time For Kids: Parents, Know How Much Is Too Much
Not sure about the right age to introduce gadgets to your child? Here are some pointers that will help