Cultivating Community Outside of the Virtual Space (Youth Generated Content)
Author: Skylar, YE4C Editorial Board Member
Social media connects us in powerful ways but it can also leave us anxious, isolated, and stuck in endless doomscrolling.
That’s why finding balance and building offline connections is so important. From volunteering to starting a hobby group, small steps can create a big impact on your well-being. Want to get started? Explore programs and initiatives on youth.gov, a federal resource full of opportunities that encourage real-world connection and community building.
This week, challenge yourself: Plan ONE activity offline with a friend or peer. Your future self will thank you!
#CommunityOverClicks #YouthWellbeing #OfflineConnections
Click Here to Read the Transcript
Sources
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory (2026) – Surgeon General’s Warning on the Harms of Screen Use: An Advisory and Toolkit on how to protect children and adolescents
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory (2023) warns that excessive social media use can increase risks of anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction: HHS.gov – Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory
- HHS “Social Media and Youth Mental Health” and “ PMC Pub Med Central” resources highlight the link between screen time, isolation, cyberbullying, and declining well-being:
- Youth.gov emphasizes peer support and community connectedness as protective factors for preserving community and interconnectedness among youth. Youth.gov features a list programs and initiatives that encourage offline participation: | Social Media and Youth Mental Health | PMC Pub MedCentral | Youth Programs & Initiatives