"Collin is a warrior for our children." -Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General
On Feb 6, 2018, the Salt Lake Tribune's front page article began: "Collin Kartchner decided to fight Instagram with Instagram." Two months later, Collin started a nationwide movement called #SavetheKids and has been on a crusade to help people both young and old to rise above the negative effects of social media & screen-addiction, while showing the world how to use it for doing good. Using social media, Collin raised $100k's for hurricane victims, kids fighting cancer, and orphans in South America. In 9 minutes he raised enough money to put up "You Are Beautiful" & "You Are Loved" billboards seen over 1.2M times. Now he's on a crusade to save teens from social media's potential destruction to their self-esteem and mental health, and empowering parents to reconnect with their kids. #SavetheKids #SavetheParents
Real Teens No Filters
@collinkartchner
When you tell tweens and teens that they don't need to compare themselves to the airbrushed highlight reels they see on social media, that it's okay show the world when they're not okay, and that by letting go of who they think the world wants them to be and just loving themselves for who they are, ...they clap, they cheer, they cry, they hug you...because they are exhausted trying to be perfect.
Social media's negative effects on youth mental health and too much screen-time is the underlying link to the current epidemic rise in teen depression and anxiety, eating disorders, self-harming, suicide ideation and suicide itself. We must teach our kids that their worth does not come from likes, followers, or Snapchat streaks. As the world shouts constantly to them that "Your are NOT Enough!" we need to shout "You Are Perfect Just the Way You Are!"
Smart phones and social media are the new drug of choice in homes. They hooked parents, disconnected them from their kids, distracted us from who is truly important, and taught us that "likes" = self worth--and now our kids are modeling us. Kids need our eyes and our love and validation more than ever before. Showing your kids you love them is 2% effort and 98% just putting down your phone.
Collin Has Spoken at
Collin part of KSL Investigation into Teen Social Media Use
KSL Investigates interviewed Collin about what teens are really doing on social media.
"Kartchner said there needs to be a new attitude of love and no shaming. He also said parents need to realize if they give kids with under-developed brains technology that’s for adults, they’re going to make mistakes. When they do, he said, parents need to be there to guide and love their teens so they make better choices going forward."
#SavetheParents Night
Saving our kids from the potential soul-crushing effects of social media and video game addiction begins by educating and empowering parents. We did our first Parent's Education Night in Collin's community of Pleasant Grove, UT, where it was standing room only. Since then, Collin has spoken to many standing-room only parent nights across the country.
If you would like to bring this life-changing event to your community, we will help you put it together. Just shoot an email over to heymichelle@savethekids.us to get started.
Deseret News Article by Collin
The Deseret News asked Collin to write an op-ed on the #SavetheKids movement, and to address what parents need to understand about giving their kids smart phones with access to social media apps.
"Handing a tween or teen a smart phone with access to Instagram and Snapchat with zero training, guidance, or monitoring, is like handing them keys to the family car as 12 with zero driver's ed. How then are we shocked when they keep crashing and burning?"
I Love Kids. Period. The End.
Kids today are wading through water so mucky none of us could ever imagine dealing with. And as tough as it is to be a kid today, I truly feel they are the smartest, most capable, and resilient bunch. As I speak to 1000's of teens across the nation, it only affirms my belief. Social media and smart phones can be used for so much good, but sadly they are tearing at the fabric of our society and our homes. As I invite kids to focus on living in real life and stop worrying about social media perfection, that it's okay to show the world you're not okay, I can see a weight lift off their shoulders and many inspire their peers and parents to get off social media as well. I believe it is going to be the kids today that save us all.
My Message to Parents
Social media can be an amazing tool to do so much good. But apps like Instagram and Snapchat were NOT designed for kids. It is ruining so many young lives. I get 100's of messages a day from teens sharing stories that would make you sob. There is balance, we can teach responsibility, but we can't teach the maturity required to successfully use social media. Click the button to read more....
In the News
Utah Valley Magazine Top 40 Under 40
Collin was recently selected as one of Utah's "Top 40 Under 40" featured in the June 2018 edition of UV Business Magazine for his social media activism and youth advocacy.
When asked what his business and financial goals were, he replied "Money and financial success do not motivate me in the slightest. I want to give a voice to to people who don't have one."
National Delete Snapchat Day
When Snapchat, an app used by most every teenager to communicate with friends, announced starting June 1 they would release a new feature allowing users to access explicit pornography, Collin decided to take action. He announced "National Delete Snapchat Day" inspiring 1000's of teens to delete this harmful app.
#SavetheParents Education Nights
Collin has created an empowering educational event for parents to come and learn from nationally recognized experts on the dangers of social media and how to keep your kids safe. The first two events in Pleasant Grove, UT, were standing room only, and has since sparked more events in Utah, Arizona, and California. To bring an event to your community email heycollin@savethekids.us