Welcome (back) to LOG OFF!

In this episode we welcome Five and Go! founder Spencer Rudey and actress Ailise Beales to discuss what inspired them to create an app designed to improve mental health by encouraging real-world interactions and meaningful connections. From its initial conception all the way through a successful launch, this episode highlights how the app's mission can serve as an invaluable tool following the U.S. Surgeon General's efforts to call attention to a social media-induced loneliness epidemic. This conversation delves into the unique aspects of Five and Go, including its use of augmented reality to enhance user fulfillment, insights into how Five and Go is supported by both users and mental health professionals, and discusses the broader implications of rampant loneliness in the 21st century. With a successful decade behind it, Spencer and Ailise offer a glimpse into how Five and Go! aims to foster a more connected and fulfilled society instead of an isolated, empty one.  GUEST INFO: Learn more about Five and Go! here. Download Five and Go! for iOS here. Check out Ailise’s work here. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement ⁠here⁠. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram

It’s rare that cultures as distinct as agribusiness and web development intertwine, but that’s exactly what happened in San Mateo, California. Margaret Fotinos, an innovative vintner in Silicon Valley, is the mind behind Forget-Me-Knit. Margaret offers insights into the creative process behind Forget-Me-Knit, exploring how this project serves as a tool for the cultivation of digital well-being amidst the psychological dangers of modern technology. This episode is a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary learning and the potential for diverse fields to contribute to our understanding of digital wellness. CORRECTION: The 2023 Gallup poll Matthew references only polled adults. National levels of loneliness are likely higher than 17%. GUEST INFO: Check out Forget-Me-Knit here. Read “How To Restore Our Dwindling Attention Spans” here. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement ⁠here⁠. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram

In this enlightening episode of LOG OFF and Listen Up, we welcome Robert Greenfield, a high school teacher with a passion for educating the next generation about the history and impact of social media and the internet. Robert offers a unique perspective on how digital landscapes shape student learning, engagement, and social behavior. Through a deep dive into the mechanisms that govern social media platforms and the internet, he provides a comprehensive overview of their roles in both the advancement and the challenges faced by today's youth supported by personal anecdotes. GUEST INFO: Listen to Rob on The Annenberg Learner Podcast here. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement ⁠here⁠. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram

School is back in session, and according to a 2023 United Nations report, one in four countries have banned or restricted the use of mobile phones in schools. Cyberbullying, in-class distractions, and a youth mental health crisis are among some of the top concerns of educators around the world. But does banning smartphones actually work? Are there solutions that are less contentious? What philosophy should be used to govern phone use in schools? LOG OFF’s Director of Resource Development, Matthew Stevens, joins the podcast to share his own experiences with technology in the classroom and offers his vision of a 21st century classroom that is made stronger, not weaker, by technology.  GUEST INFO: Find Matthew Stevens on Twitter here. View LOG OFF’s Screen Time Improvement Guide here. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement ⁠here⁠. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram

There’s a saying that it’s easier to poke holes in an idea than to think of ways to fill them, and this couldn’t be more true of the social media landscape today. Amid a youth mental health crisis and profound threats to democracy, social media isn’t simply going to go away. Bastian Purrer, founder of BetterSocial and humanID, believes that we need to build something better.  For the better part of the past decade, Bastian has been working tirelessly to build a more humane, democratic internet that puts the interests of users front and center. This vision has recently been realized on college campuses through BetterSocial, a social media app that attempts to solve many of the design problems of current platforms. Bastian joins the podcast to discuss problematic incentives, addiction, data privacy, and much more. GUEST INFO: Find Bastian on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠. Download BetterSocial ⁠here⁠. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement ⁠here⁠. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram

You might be wondering how a bedroom project can transform into a movement that has been recognized internationally. Emma Lembke and Clara Wasserman, two of the architects behind the LOG OFF Movement join the show to share their personal experiences as co-founders of the movement, introduce the issues that the movement will be taking on over the coming months, and offer advice for young people who want a different relationship with social media. GUEST INFO: Follow Emma on Twitter here. CONNECT WITH US: Learn more about the LOG OFF Movement here. Follow us @logoffmovement on Twitter and Instagram.

LOG OFF and Listen Up returns in September 2023.