When a small book club formed last year to read Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation,” its members didn’t expect it to turn into a local movement. Soon the club went from living room gatherings to meetings at McPolin Elementary as attendance grew to 60 people.
Those gatherings eventually led to a public panel led by the club’s organizers with teachers, parents and district leaders to discuss the book’s warning about the mental health toll of smartphones and social media.
After being asked to host a similar discussion at Ecker Hill, Parkite Holland Lincoln, the originator of the book club and mother of three, felt more deeply that she needed to engage in advocacy on the issue.
In search of information and resources she could share with the community, Lincoln reached out to Mothers Against Media Addiction, a national grassroots nonprofit founded by former New York Times journalist Julie Scelfo that pushes for education and legislative reform on technology’s impact on children, where she found eager support.
On Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., Park City residents will get a chance to see the organization’s newest tool, the documentary “Can’t Look Away,” at the Jim Santy Auditorium. The 75-minute film, based on investigative reporting by Bloomberg News’ Olivia Carville, examines how tech companies knowingly profit from addictive design and the consequences for young people.
“I believe in this fight,” said Lincoln, who now serves as the Utah chapter leader of Mothers Against Media Addiction. “I believe that I need to be part of this, and our community needs to be part of this.”
To bring the film to Park City, Lincoln partnered with local nonprofits Live Like Sam, which focuses on teen mental health; Park City Film; the Summit County Health Department; and Summit Support.
“It’s a really hard film to watch,” Lincoln said, “but it shines a bright light on the devastation caused by social media and how little these corporations care about the impact on our kids.”
Lincoln said it has been heartening to see so many community members who care about youth and teen mental health and want to engage in conversations, adding that she hopes for strong attendance at the event.
The event is free and open to the public, but due to sensitive topics in the film, including suicide, organizers recommend it for audiences ages 16 and older.
The evening will begin with short introductions from the partner nonprofits. After the film, Julie Scelfo, Mothers Against Media Addiction’s executive director, will speak about policy efforts at the state and national levels, followed by a Q&A.
“We’re really excited to see everyone, and would love the whole community to be there and be part of this conversation,” said Lincoln.
Tickets for the free screening are available at: parkcityfilm.org/film/cant-look-away.
For more information on Mothers Against Media Addiction, see: wearemama.org.