August 12 is International Youth Day and what better way to celebrate than by announcing a Youth Listening Tour and the Disconnect to Connect in Real Life Challenge, a campaign led by youth for youth. 

Bloom Kentucky is heading across the state to gather youth feedback so potential social media settlement dollars are directed toward the real-life programs, spaces, and supports that young people actually value and need. 

Across the country, thousands of lawsuits are moving forward, including in more than 40 states. The lawsuits are about companies profiting off of young people’s engagement, despite knowing about harms to youth mental health and safety. 

The question is, if these cases result in billions of dollars to states, what do young people get? 

This is a moment to shape decisions before they are made. On this listening tour, we intend to shape those decisions with youth at the helm. Stay tuned for updates on the listening tour that will culminate in a report with recommendations directly from youth. 

Join the Movement – Disconnect to Connect in Real Life Challenge

Aside from the listening tour itself, Bloom Kentucky is encouraging young people to use their social media for good by sharing their voices and opinions on how settlement dollars should be dispersed.

In this challenge, youth are invited to find a way to disconnect from their technology, reconnect by participating in a screen-free activity, and then share what they would invest in with the incoming social media settlement dollars. By using the hashtags #DisconnectToConnectKY and #FundIRL, participants of the challenge will be connected under a common goal and learn the differing perspectives of youth across the Commonwealth. 

How do I get involved?

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