10-9-19 save the kids

Collin Kartchner says young people are in a public health crisis because of  social media.  The Salt Lake  City, Utah internet activist says what started out as a parody Instagram account  has become a mission to increase awareness of  how social media is damaging our  kids.   “What is it doing to our kids with their underdeveloped brains and underdeveloped psychological state?  We have seen a rapid rise in the last eight years since social media became a big thing in teen anxiety, teen depression, teen suicide and parents need to realize that a lot of that is happening,”  Kartchner told WFDL news.  A study from the Pew Research Center found that nearly 60 percent of teenagers had experienced online bullying or harassment.   Kartchner and his wife founded the Save the Kids Foundation, with a message to challenge social media’s influence on teen mental health.  “My one take home message is that these kids need you,”  Kartchner said.  “We as parents and grandparents have to set better examples.  Our kids are struggling because they’re watching us and we’re on our phones all day too.”   Kartchner says while social media has the potential to be impactful and has done tremendous good,  too many teens  socially isolate themselves from their peers.  Kartchner is bringing his message to Fond du Lac, speaking Wednesday night at the Goodrich Little Theatre.   “I think my biggest message to parents is put down your own device.  Get off your phone around your kids and reconnect with your kids.”   The presentation from 6:30pm to 8:30pm is free and open to the public.   The event is sponsored by the Fond du lac School District and Agnesian HealthCare, a member  of SSM Health.

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