By Miranda Taylor, Marketing Manager
In the heart of New York’s St. Lawrence County, a group of young changemakers embarked on a mission to tackle a pressing issue in their community: teen social media overuse. Funded by the National Youth Leadership Council’s Youth as Solutions program, these passionate young people from the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau set out to make a tangible impact on the lives of their peers using service-learning.
Their work began with an investigation utilizing surveys and polls to collect community data, which led to the discovery that teens and adults spent over 5.5 hours on social media platforms per day, which can increase feelings of depression, sleep deprivation, and contribute to low self-esteem. The Youth Bureau, which has frequently worked on projects to address teen mental health and online safety, recognized this as an opportunity to address a critical issue in their community.
The Youth Bureau, comprised of young people from across St. Lawrence county, was driven by the desire to amplify their message across all of their communities. Their strategy was comprehensive, leveraging various channels such as social media campaigns and distributing promotional materials like magnets and stickers in their local schools. Their work garnered the attention of local news outlets, as they secured two interviews on TV stations and two articles written in local newspapers! With unwavering dedication, they ignited conversations throughout the county, shedding light on the impact of social media usage and sparking meaningful dialogues.
“Conversations about social media addiction have always been difficult for families and our community,” said Elif, a Teen Ambassador on the Youth Bureau. “With tasks as simple as pledging to stay off your phone to do easy activities, it improves our county’s mental health by hundreds. It also leads to easy conversations between families.”
Their efforts didn’t stop there. The group took their campaign a step further by presenting a resolution to the local board of legislators, advocating for the establishment of “Five Hour Free Friday” – a day dedicated to unplugging from social media and reconnecting with those around them. Their initiative garnered widespread support and recognition, with over 100 people registering to participate!
Throughout the journey, the young leaders developed essential skills in collaboration, communication, and delegation. Despite living across a vast service area, they came together with determination and resilience to drive their project forward. As they navigated challenges and celebrated successes, they discovered the power of teamwork and the value of their collective efforts.
For Alexa Backus Chase, the adult mentor for the Youth Bureau, seeing the project unfold as a teen-led endeavor was a source of immense pride. She remarked, “For me, as the adult, I was really proud that this was a teen to teen-led project. That was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to participate in Youth as Solutions and I feel that they are leaving this experience with a better understanding of offering service projects that meet the needs of our community.”
As the project draws to a close, the legacy of these young changemakers will continue to inspire future generations. Their dedication, passion, and resilience have left a mark on St. Lawrence County, serving as a testament to the power of youth leadership and service-learning in effecting positive change. With their unwavering commitment to making a difference, they have not only created a legacy but also ignited a spark of hope and possibility for a brighter future.
Youth as Solutions is creating a generation of citizens who are passionate about making a positive impact in their schools and communities. Through this youth leadership development program, young people from across the country are using service-learning to generate change in their communities while building their leadership skills and their capacity to lead. Ready to unleash the potential of your young people and empower them to create real, tangible impact? Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now open. Learn more and apply here.
