It’s no secret that social media has taken a devastating toll on young people—rising anxiety and depression, cyberbullying, and shrinking attention spans are just a few of the consequences youth face today.

With these challenges in mind, one question looms large: Is this harm irreparable?

To me, and to many professionals in the youth development sector, the answer is a resounding NO. 

While the actual, quantifiable damage done by addictive social media algorithms is currently being litigated, youth development professionals across the country are doing what we’ve always done: Engaging with kids, building connections, supporting personal growth and development, and modeling what it looks like to thrive.

And we are seeing incredible results—results that could be exponentially more impactful and more transformational with the right kind of legislative support and financial backing. In fact, funds resulting from the current lawsuits against social media companies offer one potential source for that needed financial support. For years, high-quality, out-of-school time programs and camps have been a proactive way to foster positive youth mental health.

For 115 years, youth development organization Camp Fire has been connecting young people to the outdoors, others, and themselves. Their diverse programs across the United States

• get young people in nature, away from screens, and the toxicity of social media;
• provide youth with structured, safe places where they can interact with one another;
• connect kids and teens with dedicated, caring, emotionally intelligent adults and peer leaders.

Research continually points to the positive impact these programs make. For example, a groundbreaking study that Camp Fire participated in, and was published by the YMCA, shows that young people involved in outdoor programs develop stronger social skills, feel a greater sense of purpose, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.  

Lack of Access Hurts American Families

Unfortunately, for many children, out-of-school time programs and summer camps—and the benefits they offer—simply are not accessible. Far too many families can’t afford to enroll their kids, can’t arrange transportation, or simply don’t have access to any quality programs where they live. 

It’s Time to Meet Families Where They Are

Giving our kids a fighting chance to thrive throughout childhood, adolescence, and beyond is not a partisan issue. 

Making sure our children are safe, cared for, and healthy should be something we ALL demand from our society. Not only because it benefits everyone but because it’s the right thing to do. 

The good news is that we already have proven, effective programs across the country working to foster these skills—despite limited funding and dwindling legislative support.

The reality is, these types of deeply impactful programs require significant resources. When programs have to shutter their doors because they can’t pay qualified staff, or families are turned away because camp scholarship funds have dried up, entire communities suffer. We need to fund out-of-school time programs, especially those focused on outdoor experiences, for the betterment of not just individual families but society as a whole. 

Camp Fire and other youth development organizations are leading the charge as part of a national coalition of advocates who believe funds resulting from social media company lawsuits should go to underfunded positive youth development programs. What we need now is a commitment—from policymakers, funders, and communities—to invest in proven solutions. We need to prioritize youth development and fund programs that work—and use payouts from current social media litigation to address the harms young people have experienced.

What we need now is a commitment—from policymakers, funders, and communities—to invest in proven solutions. We need to prioritize youth development and fund programs that work—and use payouts from current social media litigation to address the harms young people have experienced.

This is how we support youth mental health needs and families across America. 

It’s time to stop wringing our hands and start rolling up our sleeves. The solution is here—and funds that result from social media lawsuits offer a means to invest in it. Our kids, families, and future are worth it.

ABOUT CAMP FIRE: Growing up is hard. That’s why Camp Fire connects young people to the outdoors, to others and to themselves. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire was the first nonsectarian, multiracial organization for girls; but today, Camp Fire is an inclusive national youth development nonprofit that serves all young people. By creating safe spaces where young people can have fun and be themselves, its 45 affiliates in 24 states provide affirming, year-round, youth-driven experiences—school day programs, afterschool programs, leadership programs, camps and outdoor education—that enable youth to develop essential skills that have long-term benefits and make a positive social impact on the world. campfire.org