Hamburger giant McDonald’s
has called for “A Day Offline” to encourage families across the Gulf
to turn off their mobiles, phones, computers and televisions today, Friday, and
spend time together.
The Family Time forever campaign
is excellent, but I know I won’t be participating because luckily I don’t have
children and Friday is the only day I can catch up online with the rewards of
connectivity, including news, research, human interaction and conversation.
Last year’s initiative reached thousands of families across the
region. The 2012 edition is expected to generate even more awareness and bring
attention to an issue that, according
to the 2012 Regus Work-Life
Balance Index,
affects the majority of UAE business people. On the authority of the study,
57 percent of respondents believe they spend more time devoted to their work
than to their families.
To help parents and children enjoy the day together, the brand’s
fast food branches distributed phone vaults -- phone-sized containers with
adhesive closures -- to help parents resist the temptation of checking mobile
devices during family time.
To maintain interest and awareness throughout the remainder of the
year, the chain launched its highly successful Family Fridays initiative, which
features weekly in-store activities and entertainment for parents and children
of all ages.
It will be interesting to find out how many people collected “phone
vaults” and how many visited the establishments on September 28 to take up the
“family time,” offers, albeit in fast food!
I hope “A Day Offline” is a McSuccess!
