The Royal British Legion has launched a new digital campaign to encourage people to put down their mobile devices and take part in the Two Minute Silence as the nation marks the 100th Armistice Day.

As champions of Remembrance, the Legion leads the nation each year in commemorating and honouring those who have served and sacrificed at 11am on 11th November.

For the ‘Pause to Remember’ campaign the Legion is releasing a series of online videos and social media content in the lead up to Armistice Day. The charity is urging all generations to take a break from digital technology for two minutes on 11th November and take part in the act of Remembrance. As well as the online videos, there will be bespoke digital content for Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

One of the videos features up and coming actress Eno Mfon, 21, and begins with the words “Break the silence on the two-minute silence, let’s pause”. As the world around her stops, her poetry explores why it’s important to mark this national moment. The words emphasise that even if you don’t know what to think about during the Two Minute Silence, it’s important to acknowledge it; “It can be awkward, just standing there, but try closing your eyes. Remember those who risked their lives”.

In addition, The Royal British Legion has entered a global partnership with Twitter to launch the first official Poppy emoji, which people can use throughout the Remembrance period. The poppy emoji will be triggered up to to 15th November with hashtags including #TwoMinuteSilence #RemembranceDay and #ArmisticeDay to encourage conversations about Remembrance around the world.

There is also a bespoke Snapchat filter featuring poppies and the words ‘Remembrance Sunday.’ which is available all day on Sunday 10th November.

The Royal British Legion’s Head of Remembrance, Catherine Davies, said: “We are encouraging all communities to join together on Armistice Day to acknowledge the contribution of our Armed Forces, past and present, who have helped shaped the world we know today. The Two Minute Silence unites us all and is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.

“Through our social channels we are reaching out to the general public, but we especially hope young people will get involved, as in order to uphold the memories of those who have gone before its vital we pass on the torch of Remembrance to the new generations.”

The Remembrance activity of the Legion is free of political, partisan or sectarian influence and is inclusive of all who wish to participate, and this is reiterated in the video with the words “You don’t have to agree with the politicians, you don’t have to like their decisions”.

The campaign launched today will run until Armistice Day asking people to pause – mute their phone, close their laptop, switch off the TV – for just two minutes and pay their respects to our Armed Forces community, past and present.

To find out more about how to ‘Pause to Remember’ please visit www.rbl.org.uk