Initiative Cuts Screen Time to Boost International Students’ Well-being

[BOSTON, October 9, 2024] – International exchange students may lose nearly a month of their year abroad to social media, according to Educatius' Global Youth Resilience Index, which surveyed over 4,000 youth across the USA, South America, Europe, and Asia. In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Educatius is launching the Disconnect to Reconnect initiative, encouraging exchange students, host families, and staff worldwide to reduce screen time for one week and rediscover the value of real-life connections.

According to the Global Youth Resilience Index, 42% of teens spend 16 hours or more per week on social media. An exchange student who spends just 2 hours per day on their phone could lose nearly 1 month of their year abroad—time that could be better spent engaging with the host culture, building friendships, and personal growth.

The Disconnect to Reconnect challenge is one of several ways Educatius actively supports international students' well-being and resilience. “Excessive social media use isn’t just a distraction for international students—it can take a serious toll on their well-being,” said Carla Kearns, Vice President of Communications at Educatius. “We can't expect teens to stop using social media altogether, but cutting back is key. Our study shows that moderate social media use is actually linked to higher emotional insight. Disconnect to Reconnect is about helping students find balance, reclaim time, and be more present in their transformative exchange experience.”

This initiative builds on the broader Global Youth Resilience Initiative, which provides community engagement and online resilience training developed in partnership with teen mental health professionals. Educatius is also continuously reviewing its internal policies to better support students' mental health and resilience across its programs.

“Our research also found that 69% of teens regularly use social media in bed at night, a habit linked to lower resilience levels,” Kearns added. “Through the Global Youth Resilience Initiative, we’re offering students not just insights but practical tools and challenges like Disconnect to Reconnect to help them develop healthier digital habits.”

The Disconnect to Reconnect initiative encourages teens on high school programs abroad, host families, and staff to reflect on how social media impacts their lives and consider the benefits of cutting back on screen time. Participants will be invited to share their reflections at the end of the challenge, with the chance to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant or café, encouraging them to reconnect with their community and the people around them.

Reducing screen time is a step toward building personal resilience, an essential quality for teens navigating life’s challenges—especially while studying immersed in a new country and culture.

Key Findings from the Global Youth Resilience Index Regarding Social Media Use:

• 42% of teens spend 16+ hours per week on social media, losing significant time to their devices.
• American teens spend an average of 16.1 hours per week on social media, averaging lower than youth from Sweden, Vietnam, China, Italy, and Spain; and higher than youth from Germany, Brazil and France.
• 69% regularly use social media in bed at night globally, a practice linked to lower resilience. 66% of American youth report this.
• Girls spend an average of 2.1 hours more per week than boys and show lower resilience levels.
• Moderate social media use is linked to higher emotional insight.