A social experiment has evolved into a hands-on workbook with the potential to help countless people get a better grip on social media and its impact on mental health. In 2021, KETV partnered with Omaha’s Smart Gen Society, a digital awareness and safety nonprofit, to run a week-long trial. We asked a girls club soccer team to take a seven-day break from most social media and documented the findings. The girls gave up Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and other platforms for seven days. “The research shows if you are spending more than two hours a day, it’s having a big impact on mental health,” said Amie Konwinski, Smart Gen Society founder and CEO.The girls noted decreased anxiety, better sleep, more creativity, and human connections, leading to overall feelings of well-being. “What we really saw was a launch pad for creating this workbook,” Konwinski said.Smart Gen’s psychologists and founders put together a “how to” guide on how to take a break from social media. It features coloring pages, identifying emotions, ideas to connect with humans, and ways to explore creativity. The format guides people through the week in a thoughtful and supportive way.The nonprofit hopes that classes, schools, families, and clubs will do the workbook as a group project and explore life free from so much digital noise. Konwinski said that even taking a short break can improve mental health and let people know they are in control of their digital devices.“We really want to improve mental health, especially in our youth. We know it is at a crisis level,” Konwinski said.The books cost $39.99 and all proceeds go back to the nonprofit. To order books or learn more, go to www.smartgensociety.org/unplug.
OMAHA, Neb. —
A social experiment has evolved into a hands-on workbook with the potential to help countless people get a better grip on social media and its impact on mental health.
In 2021, KETV partnered with Omaha’s Smart Gen Society, a digital awareness and safety nonprofit, to run a week-long trial. We asked a girls club soccer team to take a seven-day break from most social media and documented the findings. The girls gave up Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and other platforms for seven days.
“The research shows if you are spending more than two hours a day, it’s having a big impact on mental health,” said Amie Konwinski, Smart Gen Society founder and CEO.
The girls noted decreased anxiety, better sleep, more creativity, and human connections, leading to overall feelings of well-being.
“What we really saw was a launch pad for creating this workbook,” Konwinski said.
Smart Gen’s psychologists and founders put together a “how to” guide on how to take a break from social media. It features coloring pages, identifying emotions, ideas to connect with humans, and ways to explore creativity. The format guides people through the week in a thoughtful and supportive way.
The nonprofit hopes that classes, schools, families, and clubs will do the workbook as a group project and explore life free from so much digital noise. Konwinski said that even taking a short break can improve mental health and let people know they are in control of their digital devices.
“We really want to improve mental health, especially in our youth. We know it is at a crisis level,” Konwinski said.
The books cost $39.99 and all proceeds go back to the nonprofit. To order books or learn more, go to www.smartgensociety.org/unplug.
