UNICEF Tap Project: Put Down Phone, Save a Life

Although being without our smartphones can feel like a matter of life and death, it’s always important to have a reality check on first world ‘problems’. To raise awareness about the millions of children who don’t have access to clean water, UNICEF Tap Project is challenging people with the simple task of putting down their phone for the good of others.

“Some of us can’t go for more than a few minutes without checking our cell phones. Imagine what it’s like to go days—or longer—without safe drinking water,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Here’s how it works: For every 10 minutes you don’t click or refresh in the month of March, UNICEF Tap Project provides a day (a whole day!) of clean water for a child in need.

While in parked mode, the mobile site gives updates on how long other people have gone without their phones as well as how many silly tweets and selfies you would’ve posted during the elapsed time. Plus, it shows informative stats on how UNICEF helps provide clean water and sanitation around the world.

More Good Reasons for a Charitable Digital Detox

FYI, if you’re not convinced yet, check out some of these stats:

• Globally, 768 million people do not have safe, clean water to drink, and more than 2.5 billion people live without a proper toilet.
• Every day, an estimated 1,600 children under five die from diarrhea diseases; nearly 90 percent of these deaths are linked to water, sanitation and hygiene.
• With $1, UNICEF can provide one child with access to safe, clean water for 40 days.

We’re both down for the digital detox for a good cause. Plus, we want to do our part in bringing California up to first place as the state that puts down their phone the most (right now the state is in 7th place!). Now, what are you waiting for? We hope you’ll join us in this ingenious UNICEF Tap Project program.

Visit UnicefTapProject.org on your phone to start. It’s super easy and don’t worry if you suffer from phone-separation anxiety – there’s a nifty timer on the screen to let you know how long it’s been.

If we can do it – two girls who have their phones basically surgically attached to our hands – we know you can do it too!

For every 10 minutes you spend away from your phone this March, you can help UNICEF provide clean water to a child in need. It’s that simple.

About UNICEF Tap Project

Since 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project has raised more than $4.5 million for water and sanitation programs to children in Belize, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Togo, Mauritania, Cameroon and Vietnam.

2014 funds will continue to support water and sanitation programs in countries with the most need. A small amount makes a big difference — just $1 can provide 40 days of clean water.

This year, National Sponsor, Giorgio Armani Fragrances, along with other UNICEF Tap Project donors, will provide the funding equivalent of one day of water for a child in need every 10 minutes someone goes without their phone.

They launched the mobile experience in beta on February 14. In less than a week, 570,000 people went without their phones for 33 million minutes, raising a $100,000 donation from sponsor UNICEF’s Next Generation.

More Ways to Help Provide Safe Drinking Water for Kids

Throughout this World Water Month, there’s many other ways to help. On the UNICEF Tap Project’s website, you can:

• Donate. Just $5 = 200 days of clean water.
• Volunteer. Learn how you can join thousands of UNICEF Tap Project supporters.
• Advocate. Tell your representatives in Congress that you support the Water for the World Act — a critical piece of legislation supporting water, sanitation and hygiene.