Breaking Free From Phone Addiction: The Unplug 60 Movement

Cady Cardwell
Jul 31
3 min read

Updated: Sep 3

What Is Unplug 60?

Unplug 60 is a movement led by teens in Chambers County. It’s a simple idea: pick one hour each day to step away from screens and devices. That means putting down phones, closing laptops, turning off notifications—just unplugging. During this hour, you’re encouraged to spend time doing something real: talking to a friend, reading for fun, going for a walk, playing music, drawing, or just thinking.

This movement isn’t about rejecting technology altogether—it’s about finding space to breathe, connect, and recharge without constant digital distractions.

Why It’s Important

As teens, we often feel glued to our screens. Notifications pull our attention every few minutes, and it’s easy to fall into the habit of checking our phones—even when we don’t really want to.

But research shows that this constant connectivity can come at a cost. On average, teens spend 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens. That’s nearly half of our waking hours spent looking at devices. About 50% of teens report feeling addicted to their phones, and around 20 to 30% show signs of behavioral addiction. In addition, 67% of teens say late-night phone or internet use causes them to lose sleep.

These numbers are not just statistics. They represent real habits that affect our sleep, focus, and well-being. When screen time reaches four or more hours a day, teens are significantly more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Poor sleep, irregular routines, and less physical activity are also more common with high screen use.

High screen use is also linked to weight concerns, difficulty staying well-rested, and less emotional support from peers and family. The bottom line is that too much screen time has consequences that reach beyond just how many hours we spend on our phones.

Why Unplug 60 Matters for Teens

Living with so much screen time isn’t just about missing out on face-to-face conversations. It can impact our health—making it harder to sleep, more difficult to concentrate, and easier to feel anxious or disconnected.

The State of Texas has already taken a big step by removing phones from classrooms, which has helped students stay focused and more present during the school day. Many of us have noticed how freeing it feels to not be tied to constant notifications and distractions while trying to learn. Unplug 60 builds on that progress by encouraging us not to dive immediately back into phone use when the last bell rings, but instead to continue choosing focus, connection, and balance outside of school hours too.

Unplug 60 gives us permission to pause. That single hour can help reset our minds, strengthen real connections, and remind us that life happens beyond screens. Even one unplugged hour each day can open space for clearer thinking, better sleep, and stronger connections with people who matter most.

In Summary

Unplug 60 is about taking control—not turning off technology forever, but using it more intentionally. It’s especially important now, when teens spend more time on screens than ever, and when mental health, sleep, and attention are at risk.

If we each simply choose one hour a day to step away, we could see small changes that add up: better sleep, more focus, fewer distractions, and stronger connections.

Would you consider trying just one Unplug 60 hour this week? Maybe start during dinner, after school, or before bed. Try it, and then see how it feels.