If you wake up Friday morning finding that your favorite website is apparently dealing with technical difficulties, don't panic by thinking that it's actually an indication of the world's end. Many sites have pledged to go dark in order to honor the innocent victims who passed away in the Sandy Hook shootings in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday, Dec. 14.

Internet sites and blogs taking part in this Web Goes Silent campaign are urged to temporarily cease all activities for five minutes starting at 9:30 a.m. EST. The campaign encourages supporters to refrain from posting on Facebook, sending a Tweet, to even checking your mail. Major websites have pledged to stop for one full minute.

According to Causes.com, more than 175,000 people have taken the pledge with more than 650,000 Facebook shares, and nearly 6,000 tweets. The sites campaign leaders include super angel Ron Conway, host Ryan Seacrest, Napster’s Sean Parker, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, financial advisor Suze Orman, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, and celebrity singer Britney Spears.

This online campaign sprung up soon after Connecticut Governor, Dannel Malloy pronounced a national moment of silence. A call to for stricter gun control laws have also been initiated as cries to reduce gun violence are being heard from all sectors.