I just like challenge terms to be clear. Really, you have already done a limited challenge for yourself, not a cold turkey challenge, since you are still doing online banking. You could write cheques, and go to the teller at the bank to get cash, or use a debit card. You can get paper statements. You don't have to do online banking. Also do you use a computer at work? If yes, do you use it at all for personal things? If you do, it isn't cold turkey.
And to add a topic to your challenge, do you have a data plan for your phone? You can live without it. Double dare you (to use an expression from my youth). I say this secure in the knowledge that it is doable - since my smart phone has no data plan. ;-)
You mention screen time - I am assuming that radio is still OK? Some is great, some is as much drivel as some visual media.
Re your other comments: Most land may still be farmland, but most people are not farmers. Plus 100 years ago most rural areas did not have access to daily information. There was a real information shortage. And it wasn't a "several wars", it was the middle of WWI (July 1914 - November 1918). Now if you wanted to go back 60 years, to 1953 - there was radio, TV was still in its infancy. People read newspapers and magazines, did their banking in person (and no direct deposit either). They survived. Don't do 50 years ago, TV ruled ;-)
People had newspapers - one in the morning, one in the afternoon. They wrote letters. Most lived on farms. And of course 100 years ago they were in the middle of a world war.
I see it more as a "cut down on brainless wasted time activities". I spent 4 hours in front of the computer last night, watching election returns, and do not regret a minute of it. Tonight I will have about 10 minutes in front of the computer (right now). I spent the afternoon in the garden, and will shower, eat, and go out to a fun meeting.
Retiredat63- There are still daily newspapers, the United States Postal Service is still going strong delivering mail (as well as the Canadian equivalent), most land is still farmland, and we're in the middle of several wars right now. Was there a reason you brought all that up or are you just making conversation?
(for everyone)- I just threw this challenge out here to see if anyone else wanted to try it with me. I'm doing it for myself for my own personal reasons whether or not anyone else decides to join me. I don't understand a few of the replies I've gotten, if someone isn't interested in the challenge then why even post in this thread?? I'm not looking for advice on how to reduce my screen time or even trying to convince anyone else that they should reduce theirs. I just thought since I was going to do it, I'd post in this forum and see if anyone else wanted to join me, that's all.