Screenagers
The rise in screen overuse among teens and young adults is growing at an astronomical pace.
As adults, getting educated to address screen time and holding complex conversations is a mission of many organizations throughout Forest Lake.
On Sunday, October 13th, from 4pm to 6:30pm (don’t worry, the Vikings are on their bye week), Faith Lutheran is hosting a community showing of the documentary “Screenagers Next Chapter: Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age.” Following the film, there will be a panel discussion and a pizza dinner will be served.
“Screenagers aligns with my personal passion for children and education,” said Faith Lutheran member Deborah Peterson, the main organizer of this event. “Screenagers brings community together to learn and discuss social media and its effects on the health and education of all our children.”
She’s not kidding.
Peterson’s passion for bringing people together included asking a lot of organizations to support the evening. Event sponsors include Cherish All Children, Renew Hope, the Forest Lake Area Schools, the Forest Lake YMCA, the Lakes Center for Youth and Families, the FL Lions Club, and also Crossroads Church and St Paul Lutheran in Wyoming.
“Children and youth are experiencing significant mental health challenges at an alarming rate over these past several years,” said Joy McElroy, the Director of Cherish all Children. “As adults, we can come together to learn more and engage in supporting young people as they navigate the pressures of social media, addictive online games and apps, and online exploitation.”
Our local schools are taking action.
“The mental health needs of this generation have taken center stage due to our community's openness to talk about it,” said John-Paul Jacobson, the Director of Teaching & Learning in the Forest Lake Public Schools. “The data we are seeing with the number of students who are asking for help [continues to grow]. Social media and screen time are not the only influences on this issue, but they are significant.”
Jacobson noted that parents and guardians are seeking advice and research to support their youth when they don't have generations of experience to draw from. An event like Screenagers: Next Chapter aims to provide a critical platform to have that discussion.
“[Many organizations] are chasing avenues to foster personal connection,” said Jacobson. “Using [technology tools] with moderation and care is important to living a healthy and balanced lifestyle.”
Acknowledging that cell phones can get in the way of personal connections, Forest Lake Schools have established “phone-free” time in each building and have had discussions with the students about why this break is important.
“Community collaboration and learning is so important,” said Jacobson, as he pointed to the value of the event on October 13th.
The community is encouraged to attend. The target audience is for students in middle school and older, and any adult who deals with this topic. Additionally, an event geared for elementary-age students and their parents is being planned for January 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church.
To register, which helps for food planning, go to Eventbrite.com and search for “Screenagers”. Adults are asked to contribute $5 on the night of the event, but youth under 18 do not need to pay.
We hope to see you there.
Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at
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