A group of Utah teens are taking part in a program called Rewild the Child, which encourages them to disconnect from social media for at least one year. The goal is to help them reconnect with the real world through outdoor activities. One participant, 18-year-old Lauren Fellars, says spending hours every day on social media made her feel unproductive, so she’s embraced the program and eliminated social media from her life.
The program's founder, Glen Andersen, is concerned about the negative impact social media has on young people's mental health. He cites rising levels of depression, anxiety, and self-harm as the main reasons for launching the program. He says Rewild the Child isn’t about forcing kids to abandon their phones, but offering them a choice to disconnect and build real-life connections with others.
Participants aren’t required to disconnect completely; they can use a special phone that only allows them to call, text, and listen to music without social media access. So far, around 60 to 70 teens have joined the free program, and the results are promising. Fellars says that she feels more focused and present now, able to concentrate on her classes and personal life instead of worrying about what others are posting on social media.
Source: FOX 13 NOW
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