International students reclaim well-being through screen time challenge

Exchange students, staff, and host families from 21 countries share insights on reducing social media use

[Boston, October 31 2024] – Educatius' Disconnect to Reconnect initiative has saved participants over 500 hours of screen time in just 7 days. Launched in conjunction with World Mental Health Day on October 10, the initiative challenged exchange students, host families, Local Coordinators, and Educatius staff from 21 countries to reduce social media use and reflect on the impact of digital habits on their lives.

Key results:

• 500+ hours of screen time saved across 7 days by participants from 21 countries
• 50% of participants reduced social media use by 5-10 hours per week
• 70% of participants plan to continue reducing screen time after the challenge
• Participants reported less stress, better sleep, improved focus on studies, and stronger personal connections

A major driver for the challenge was Educatius' Global Youth Resilience Index, which surveyed over 4,000 youth aged 16-20 across nine countries: Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the USA, and Vietnam.

The study found that 42% of respondents spend 16 hours or more per week on social media. Excessive social media use, especially at night, was linked to lower resilience values—69% of participants reported using social media regularly in bed, a habit that impacts mental well-being. An exchange student spending 16 a week on their high school program abroad would lose a month of their program to social media.

"We wanted to create a simple way for our students and the adults who support them to experience the benefits of disconnecting, even briefly," said Carla Kearns, Vice President of Communications at Educatius. "We know we can’t expect teens to abandon social media, but we can encourage them to be mindful of its impact. Our message was simple: don’t let your phone steal your exchange.”

Real-world benefits from disconnecting

The Disconnect to Reconnect challenge proved transformative for many. Nearly half of participants reduced their screen time by 5-10 hours, with 70% expressing a commitment to maintain lower social media use moving forward. Benefits included reduced stress, deeper social connections, and more focus on academics.

Anna from Germany, studying in Australia, shared: "It made a huge impact on my mental health. I slept better, and I felt more fulfilled when I actually did something like walking with my host parents, spending time with friends, or journaling. I felt more gratitude towards everything and everyone."

For Leticia from Brazil, studying in the USA, the challenge provided relief from constant notifications. "I didn’t realize how social media was stressing me out until I stepped back. I focused on things that made me feel good, like spending time with my host family. It made a big difference in how I slept and felt the next day."

Host families and Local Coordinators also embraced the initiative. Brittany, an Educatius Local Coordinator in the USA, said, "Removing social media apps for a week made me realize how often I filled moments with scrolling. I was able to focus on being present, and it felt refreshing."

Resilience training in action

The Disconnect to Reconnect challenge is part of Educatius' broader Global Youth Resilience Initiative, which also includes resilience training developed in partnership with teen mental health professionals. The training equips students with tools to manage the common challenges of studying abroad, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

"This initiative makes us reflect if we are using our exchange year wisely," noted Aitana from Spain, studying in Ireland. "Social media is entertainment, but spending time with family and friends is fun, and there’s a big difference."

As Educatius continues its mission to build resilience in exchange students worldwide, Disconnect to Reconnect demonstrates how small, conscious actions can have a lasting impact on youth well-being.

For more information on the Global Youth Resilience Index and Educatius' Global Youth Resilience Initiative, visit Global Youth Resilience Initiative (educatius.org).