Remember that feeling when you were a kid, going outside to play when the weather was warm? Now, things have changed somewhat as we all seem addicted to screens.
That's why New York state has launched the "Unplug and Play" initiative. State officials say it's also about keeping kids healthy.
Shaila Singh is a mom of three children ages 10, 7 and 3. Keeping her kids active is a full-time job.
“It’s nice to keep your kids off the screen and in the environment,” said Singh.
She said having a new children’s museum open in her area has been a great learning experience for her kids.
“So, it’s really important for us to come here and maximize our time and use it in a way where kids are learning, informal learning. They don’t even realize they are learning something while they’re playing,” said Singh.
As part of her 2025 State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Unplug and Play. The goal is to help limit social media and screen time for kids by funding playgrounds, community centers, affordable sports programs and recreational opportunities.
“Being healthy is whole health and part of being a whole healthy person is interacting with people, but getting outside and interacting with people. Developing the social skills that come with play and playing is so important,” said Dr. James McDonald, commissioner of the state Department of Health.
He said keeping kids active helps decrease the use of social media.
“Online bullying, it’s real. Creating anxiety in children, it’s terrible. Creating depression in children, it’s terrible. You really don’t see social media positively influencing young minds,” said McDonald.
Singh says it’s about finding a balance.
“I hide the tablets at times, or the TV controls. Otherwise, we give them timers and we’re like, 'OK, you have 20 minutes, or you can earn the time if you do a certain amount of your chores, or a certain amount of practicing or whatever it is – if you finish your homework.' If the weather is nice, we try to minimize it as much as possible,” said Singh.
