Local families are preparing to pull the plug on digital obsession this April, when the Positive You company brings its Digital Detox program to Endeavor Elementary/Middle School.

“One example of digital overload we will discuss is the constant notification barrage many people experience, particularly from social media apps,” Positive You Executive Director Kenny Spear said via email.

Digital Detox night at Endeavor Elementary/Middle School will be held April 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The school is located at 22505 26 Mile Road in Ray Township. The event is designed to teach families strategies to set healthier screen limits, create stronger family relationships via technology, and understand the impact of excessive device use on mental health.

Endeavor Elementary/Middle School Principal Kristina Moran said the primary audience for the free event is middle school students and their parents, but younger and older students as well as their families can also benefit.

“We see it as adults. I try to stay off of my phone, it is hard,” Moran said.

She also said that helping students to take time out from cell phone use and make time for personal interaction is a focus of the school for this year. Student phone use can present challenges for educators during the school day as well as for parents at home, according to Moran.

“That is one of the things we have noticed, is parents struggling at home with phones, and fights at home with students about cell phones,” Moran said.

Spear, who is the founder of Positive You LLC, will be the primary presenter at the April 29 event. Positive You LLC is a metro Detroit based company, founded in 2015 as a mental wellness and empowerment company. Spear said the company has a specific emphasis on promoting healthy digital habits.

“We aim to provide resources, education, and support to empower people to live more mindful, balanced lives,” Spear said.

The company developed its Digital Detox night presentation due to increased concerns about the effect of digital overload on mental health, relationships and overall well-being, according to Spear.

“With our increasing reliance on technology, we recognized the need for a space where families could learn to disconnect, reset and reclaim balance in their lives,” Spear said. “The event serves as an opportunity for people to reflect on their digital habits, learn healthier alternatives, and create actionable steps to reduce screen time.”

Spear described the presentation as being an interactive experience involving slides, videos and visuals, allowing participants to engage and understand information in a relatable way.

The impact of excessive screen time across all devices from phones and laptops to tablets and more will be a part of the presentation. Spear said he will discuss the need for regular breaks and conscious limits on screen time, as well as review how excessive screen time can affect physical and mental health.

Spear also said he will particularly discuss social media apps, and how nonstop notification from them can impact attention span, decrease focus and increase anxiety.

“We’ll discuss several positives of digital use, such as the ability to stay connected with loved ones, access to educational resources, and the convenience technology provides in daily tasks,” Spear said. “On the flip side, we’ll also highlight the negatives, including the potential for digital addiction, decreased face-to-face interactions, sleep disruption, increased stress levels, and the impact on mental health and focus.”

Video game use will be another area of focus in the presentation.

“The presentation will address both the positive aspects and potential dangers of video gaming, such as fostering creativity and providing stress relief, while also discussing the risks of overuse, including gaming addiction and its impact on social relationships, sleep and academic performance,” Spear said.

Spear said he would provide practical tools and outline steps families can use to reduce screen time, from creating time for physical activity and hobbies that do not involve screen use to creating a family media plan and setting goals for screen use reduction. Ways to create a technology free zone in the home will also be discussed.

“The presentation will provide tips on creating healthy boundaries around device use, such as having designated ‘screen-free’ times to bond as a family. We will also discuss how technology can be used positively to strengthen relationships when used mindfully, such as through family-friendly apps and activities,” Spear said.