SOCIAL MEDIA U
Re-Thinking Tech to Re-Imagine Your Life
Teens, schools, and parents are struggling with managing devices, digital habits impacting focus, and online behavior impacting school culture and peer relationships. After 5 years in the field, #Halfthestory recognized an alarming gap between existing programs and their ability to connect with youth culture and actually shift behavior.
SocialMediaU is an evidence-based digital wellness program, co-designed with youth, to educate young people on the connections between emotional health and digital habits and transform their sense of self and their relationship with technology.
Who we serve:
Schools, after school programs, and mental health centers in the US and UK.
Did You Know, The Average American Teen Spends
8 hourshours
A Day Online
Common Sense Media, 2021
Common Sense Media, 2021
Did You Know, The Average American Teen Spends
8 hours
A Day Online
Common Sense Media, 2021
OUR APPROACH
Our program focuses on teaching digital metacognition to improve overall wellbeing. Our research has identified 6 core skills of digital wellbeing that are adapted to scaffold learning and meet evolving developmental contexts for ages 11-18.
Digital Wellbeing Skills
Digital Habits
How devices are built to be addictive
🔄 PERVASIVE DESIGN FEATURES
Analyzing the manipulative features built into devices and platforms to maximize time on devices.
🧠 MANIPULATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
We examine how technology exploits neuroscience to prolong device usage and decrease user autonomy.
🙏 MINDFUL DEVICE MODIFICATION
Modifying platforms and devices to improve self regulation and shift digital habits from mindless to mindful consumption.
Emotional Agility
Core foundational skills of emotional intelligence
😴 EMOTIONAL GRANULARITY
The practice of getting as specific as possible about the emotions you are feeling in the digital world.
🛑 COGNITIVE REAPPRAISAL
The practice of stopping to think when you are emotionally activated online.
💕 SELF COMPASSION
The practice of meeting your emotions with kindness and compassion online and IRL.
“Adolescence is the new zero to three... adolescence is probably the last real opportunity we have to put individuals on a healthy pathway and to expect our interventions to have substantial, enduring effects”
- Laurence Steinberg Ph.D
The Outcome:
Digital Flourishing
Digital flourishing is defined as the positive perceptions of an individual’s experiences and behaviors in digital communication, central to digital wellbeing. The Digital Flourishing Scale (DFS), a 21-item measure (Rosič et al., 2022), captures adolescent digital wellbeing as a multi-dimensional, dynamic, and individual trait, allowing us to measure change over time.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU
Shift from Passive to Active Tech Consumption
Improved Self Image (IRL and Online)
Authentic Self Expression in the Digital World
Tools to Manage Emotions Online and Offline
Increased Connection and Creativity
Mindful Modification to Increase Agency
Offerings
Curriculum Licensing with Staff or Peer-to-Peer Training
License our innovative curriculum and we will train your staff or students to deliver our programming by licensing our content and app access.
Supplemental Offerings
#HTS Facilitator-led sessions, professional development and parent workshops*
State of Digital Wellbeing Climate Report
School Digital Policy Support & 1:1 Educator Consultations
Personalized Digital Wellbeing Companion App (13+)
*Currently available in Bay Area, Austin, & NYC Metro
Curriculum Licensing with Staff
or Peer-to-Peer Training
License our innovative curriculum and we will train your staff or students to deliver our programming by licensing our content and app access.
Supplemental Offerings
#HTS Facilitator-led sessions, professional development and parent workshops*
State of Digital Wellbeing Climate Report
School Digital Policy Support & 1:1 Educator Consultations
Personalized Digital Wellbeing Companion App (13+)
*Currently available in Bay Area, Austin, & NYC Metro
Testimonials
Want to bringing Social Media U to your community?
Want to bringing Social Media U to your community?
Want to bringing Social Media U to your community?
We believe digital wellbeing is a fundamental human right.
