A generation looking up: rediscovering connection in a digital age

When Bradley Gill ’28 arrived at Bethel, he set an ambitious goal: to meet 100 people during his first week on campus. As he introduced himself to classmates and shared meals with strangers in the Dining Center, he noticed a pattern. Students sitting alone were almost always looking down at their phones.

So, Gill started grabbing seats next to them.

Sometimes his conversations lasted only a few minutes before students headed off to class. Other times, the conversations would last much longer, getting more personal and covering topics such as life, faith, and college. These experiences left him wondering what he and others might be missing when screens become the default response to loneliness, boredom, or downtime. That question eventually led him and fellow student Zechariah Beaulieu ’28 to launch Thrive, a Bethel student organization dedicated to helping students build healthier relationships with technology while cultivating real-world skills and community. 

Their story reflects a much broader conversation unfolding across the country—and Bethel—as researchers, educators, parents, and students grapple with the mental health effects of social media and screen time. Sherryse Corrow, Bethel psychology professor and newly appointed dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, has joined the conversation recently sharing her insights and expertise with local media outlets like KARE 11 and WCCO. And others in the Bethel community are asking the tough questions and beginning to look up more.

What the research reveals 

Questions about social media’s impact—both positive and negative—have increased in recent years, and high-profile legal cases involving major technology companies have exposed the sometimes dangerous downsides. In one recent case, a jury found Meta and YouTube negligent for designing platforms with features such as “infinite scrolling.” In essence, users never reach the “bottom” of algorithmic recommendations, and constant notifications ensure prolonged engagement. These apps were designed so we keep coming back for more! 

Social media usage for U.S. teens has reached an average of almost five hours per day on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. And parents' eyebrows are up. Some 75-80% say they’re concerned about their children’s use of screen media, particularly excessive use, inappropriate content, or effects on mental health, according to a Common Sense Media census. But the numbers are high among adults, too. It’s estimated that globally, internet users between the ages of 16 and 64 spend anywhere from five to seven and a half hours online each day.

The research isn’t only doom and gloom, though. There are ways to scale back, and the results are positive. A growing body of research suggests that stepping away from screens can produce measurable benefits for our overall wellbeing. One study found that taking a two-week break from mobile internet access can cut typical screen time in half. Another study found that taking a one-week break from smartphone use reduced symptoms of depression by 25%. Research has also linked breaks from social media and smartphones to improvements in attention and focus.

Corrow says first things first—it’s important not to view technology as inherently harmful. FaceTime, for example, allows us to stay connected to loved ones. “Those experiencing rare hardships can use social media to find community with others who share their experiences, creating a virtual support group,” she says. “The goal isn’t to abandon screens and social media completely, but rather be intentional about our usage and setting healthy boundaries. The benefits are multi-faceted.”

One benefit is social engagement. Reducing digital consumption encourages connection with others, one of the biggest predictors of one’s wellbeing. One recent trial conducted found that, when blocked from internet usage on mobile phones, participants were significantly more likely to socialize with other people, exercise, and spend time in nature. 

Another benefit is boredom! Less screen time creates space to wonder what you should do—which is a good thing for our brains. Boredom is often a catalyst for creativity. 

Screen use also impacts our sleep, delaying bedtime and also emitting a bright light that can affect our circadian rhythm and our ability to sleep well. If you spend less time on your phone, you may find you get more sleep and you get better sleep. “Engaging socially with other people and getting enough sleep—we know that those two things together are really powerful influences on our wellbeing,” Corrow says. 

She sees reasons for optimism, particularly among younger adults. “My teaching experiences have shown me that our students are becoming increasingly aware of their digital and social media usage,” she says. “This feels significant because it is a sign of a shift—students are paying attention to their screen usage, how it is affecting them, and how it is impacting their relationships with other people and academics.”

She believes that awareness could help shape a healthier future: “I think this is a sign that their generation could lead an important movement where screens are being used in more intentional ways.”

Students choosing a different path

That movement is happening on Bethel’s campus. 

For Beaulieu ’28, a human bioenergetics major, the issue became personal long before Thrive existed. After deleting Instagram and Snapchat several years ago because they increased his anxiety, he found himself turning to YouTube and video games instead. At times, he estimates he spent eight to 12 hours a day on screens.

“I’m not sure if screens caused a lack of community or if a lack of community caused my dependence on screens,” Beaulieu says. “But either way, the answer to the problem is community.”

As he became more involved at Bethel and developed deeper friendships, his screen time gradually declined. The turning point came after a difficult January session, when an online class and reduced face-to-face interaction led him back into old habits. Seeking a more radical change, and at the encouragement of faith-filled friends who were helping hold him accountable, he switched to a Light Phone III, a minimalist device without internet access.

“No longer do I need to run away from pain, or distract myself from an awkward situation. Instead I am forced to embrace social situations, and to work through my pain,” he says. “God has faithfully grown my character and strength in incredible ways, and the community that helped me was rooted in Jesus.”

For Gill, who is majoring in business analytics and artificial intelligence with minors in psychology and Spanish, the journey followed a different path. As a teenager, he calculated the number of hours he had spent watching anime and was startled by the result: more than 6,000 hours. “When I saw that number my entire life changed,” Gill says. “I asked myself, ‘Is this really how I want to spend my life?’”

He began replacing screen time with reading, journaling, outdoor activities, and other habits that aligned more closely with his goals. Those experiences became the foundation for Thrive. The group’s mission is to reduce dependence on nonproductive screen time, encourage students to learn practical life skills, and create opportunities for meaningful community—without phones around! 

This type of community is being fostered in Professor Michelle Steffenhagen’s classroom, which is tech-free—students must leave their phones and backpacks on the far side of the room. She teaches Introduction to Wellbeing, a class all first-year Bethel students take. “Removing technology and intentionally practicing communication skills tends to be a meaningful experience for students,” Steffenhagen says. “Students are quite honest about how screens have disrupted their relationships, and they express hope for finding connections that aren't mediated by technology.” 

Students in the course are given a Wellbeing Bingo card and challenged to pay attention to at least 20 different micro-experiences, one being a five-hour tech Sabbath. Last year, one student said the experience was life-changing. “He was unaware of how frequently he was picking up his phone,” Steffenhagen explains. “When he started paying attention to his daily life experiences with and without his device, he recognized that limiting his screen time would be essential.”

Corrow believes these types of exercises and efforts like Thrive are changing campus culture. “This is transformational for the student experience because our entering students are joining a community where asking questions about how screen time is affecting their well-being, relationship with Christ, and academic performance is not only acceptable, but part of the cultural norm,” she says.

Five ways to build healthier screen habits

Of course everyone wants to know how much screen time is too much. Instead of focusing on a specific number of hours, Corrow encourages us to evaluate whether technology use is helping or hurting our wellbeing. “We need to ask ourselves, ‘Is this interfering with my life in a way that I don't like?'" she says. Rather than attempting a complete digital detox, focus on one or two manageable changes. Smaller, sustainable habits are more likely to stick over time and can make a big difference. 

1. Create boundaries around notifications.

Most smartphones allow you to batch notifications, activate Do Not Disturb mode, or customize alerts so only important contacts can reach you immediately. 

2. Ask three simple questions.

Before opening an app, Corrow recommends a strategy proposed by author Catherine Price. Pause and ask: “What for? Why now? What else?” The exercise helps bring intentionality to technology use. What are you using the screen for? Why are you using it right now? And if you weren’t using it, what else might you be doing? These questions help us reflect on screen usage in the moment. 

3. Put your phone away before bed.

Bright screen light can interfere with your body’s natural circadian rhythm. Put your phone on the nightstand 30-60 minutes before bedtime to get a better night’s sleep.  

4. Add friction to social media use

Apps and browser extensions can block social media sites during designated hours or require extra steps before opening them. Even small hurdles can reduce mindless scrolling. Some popular apps include RescueTime, Bark, and Space.  

5. Talk as a family (or with roommates and friends)

Have conversations as a family about screen and social media usage and create a family media plan, suggests Corrow. Simple family rules such as “screen-free zones” at the dining room table and discussions about digital safety and privacy are a great place to start. 

Gill offers encouragement to those looking to make a healthy change. “Changing your phone habits requires you to decide that you want to change,” he says. “The less time you spend taking risks in the real world, the higher the risk you leave for yourself later in life. And it may sound scary but it’s a lot better to face the real world with others than by yourself.” 

Find your people

At Bethel, you’ll be part of a Christ-centered community where faith and relationships shape every part of life. From sports and clubs to campus ministries and volunteering, you’ll find opportunities to belong and connect with lifelong friends. 

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