Ready to Unplug? Warren Coalition Challenges Community to Put Down the Phone

The Warren Coalition is inviting the community to put down their phones, even if just for a few hours, during this year’s Warren County Unplugged event, part of the Global Day of Unplugging set for March 6–7.

Executive Director Christa Shifflett and Deputy Director Celeste Brooks recently sat down to talk about the growing concerns surrounding smartphone use, especially among young people, and how the annual event aims to encourage healthier habits.

“This is our third year doing this event,” Brooks said. “It coincides with the Global Day of Unplugging. It’s just a day to make ourselves a little bit more aware of what’s going on in our lives in regards to social media and our smartphone use, and frankly, how dependent and addicted we’ve become to these handheld devices.”

The Warren Coalition, a nonprofit founded in 1994 and incorporated in 2001, works with more than 15 partner agencies to promote a safe, healthy, and drug-free community for youth. While substance misuse prevention remains central to its mission, leaders say smartphone and social media use are increasingly tied to youth mental health concerns.

“We’re really concerned with the kids’ use of social media,” Shifflett said. The Coalition is currently reading and discussing the book The Anxious Generation, which explores the rise in anxiety and mental health struggles among youth since smartphones became widespread.

“We’re talking about dramatic increases in anxiety,” Shifflett said. “Giving kids smartphones as their form of interaction between 11 and 15 is really damaging development when they need to be in person. We are social creatures.”

Brooks added that social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged, often by feeding content that triggers strong emotions. “Whatever keeps you scrolling is going to keep you on there,” she said. “It’s all about the clicks.”

Both women emphasized that the Coalition is not calling for people to throw away their phones.

“There’s nothing wrong with responsible use of a phone,” Shifflett said. “We’re not saying do away with them because they’re evil. We’re talking about becoming aware of how you’re using your phone.”

That awareness is especially important for parents. Shifflett noted that many children are exposed to inappropriate content at young ages, sometimes without parents realizing it.

“If you think there’s stranger danger in your neighborhood, think about the billions of people who could have access to your child through a screen,” she said.

Brooks pointed out that some young people are even uncomfortable making phone calls. “We’ve got students in our programs who don’t call because they don’t know how to leave a message,” she said. “That’s so foreign to those of us who are older.”

The Global Day of Unplugging runs from sunset March 6 to sunset March 7, roughly 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. locally. Throughout the weekend, the Warren Coalition and its partners have planned a wide range of phone-free activities across the county.

The kickoff event is the Youth Unplugged Party on Friday, March 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the 15th Street Gym (Health and Human Services Gym). The free event is open to students in grades K–12 and includes games, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts, and prizes. The first 200 attendees will receive a free slice of pizza.

Community partners include Warren County Parks and Recreation, the Sheriff’s Office PALS program, Scouting America, Young Life, and others.

Additional activities throughout the weekend include:

• A Scottish Cèilidh dance fundraiser at Samuels Library
  • Karaoke at Reaching Out Now’s Student Union
  • An art show at Stone Branch Center for the Arts
  • An unplugged arcade at Play Favorites
  • Backyard games at Habitat for Humanity
  • A bowling “hyper party” at the Bowling Center
  • Nature activities at 4-H and Shenandoah River State Park

Several downtown businesses will participate as “phone-free zones,” encouraging customers to relax and engage in person.

“We’re saying you decide what it is you want to do,” Brooks said. “Maybe you can’t completely be away from it, but you can reduce it somehow. Just be aware that it’s taking over your life.”

Participants are encouraged to sign up at warrencoalition.org and share how they plan to unplug. Those who register will be entered into drawings for gift cards from local businesses.

The average person reaches for their phone 186 times a day, Brooks noted. Many smartphones now provide weekly screen-time reports, often surprising users with how many hours they spend scrolling.

“I always set a goal to be five minutes less than I was the week before,” she said with a laugh. “Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn’t.”

Ultimately, the goal of Warren County Unplugged is simple: create space for real-world connection.

“We do drug prevention education in the schools,” Shifflett said. “And so many of the kids report feeling lonely. It’s heartbreaking.”

By encouraging families to step away from their screens, even briefly, the Coalition hopes to strengthen relationships and remind the community of the power of face-to-face interaction.

“Pick up the phone and actually call someone,” Brooks suggested. “Say, ‘It’s so great to hear your voice.’”

In a world where everything is online, Warren County Unplugged offers a gentle reminder that some of the best connections happen offline.