The Unplug + Play campaign targets ACT parents and carers of children, and aims to increase their awareness of the need for children to spend more time in active play and less time using TV, electronic games and the internet.
Tips on how to Unplug + Play
Download the Unplug + Play brochure that provides tips for parents on getting children to reduce using electronic entertainment.
| Download: | Uplug and Play Brochure (PDF File - 341k) |
Physical activity can be fun!
With a little encouragement and creativity, physical activity can be a fun alternative to electronic entertainment.
Physical activity is necessary for children’s growth and development. It often involves interaction with friends, family and neighbours, and can be structured like playing in a football team or simply dancing along to the radio.
There are lots of opportunities for active and free play around your home and neighbourhood.
- Outdoor: Provide your child with a bike and some basic active play equipment such as hula hoops, balls and skipping ropes.
- Indoor: Get your child dancing to the radio, doing jobs around the house, or even building a cubby house from sheets, boxes and other knick knacks.
- Have a box of sporting or similar items on hand for when your child says “I’m bored”.
- Ask your child to suggest other activities they might like to do instead of watching the TV, surfing the net and playing electronic games.
For more ideas on how to unplug and play, download a list of over 100 practical and fun activities for children and families to swap screen time for active fun time.
| Download: | Unplug+Play fact sheet (PDF File - 301k) |
Australian Physical Activity Recommendations
Children need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day for good health. Time spent using electronic entertainment should be limited to less than two hours a day.
Visit the Department of Health and Ageing website for further information about the Australian Physical Activity Recommendations.
Why limit electronic entertainment?
While TV, electronic games and the internet can be fun for children, they involve a lot of time sitting.
Watching TV, playing electronic games and being on the internet for entertainment for more than two hours a day is associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity, poor fitness and increased social problems.
It may also be associated with lower school achievement.
