What is SYNC?
Smartphone and other digital media use are exposing young people to risks and replacing experiences that help youth achieve their full potential. SYNC is a movement designed to shift local norms from continuous scrolling to intentional technology use, creating connections rooted in belonging.
Supporting Youth, Nurturing Connection, or SYNC, is designed to help our children, youth, families and community be more intentional about use of digital media, shifting community norms and enhancing youth wellbeing.
SYNC formed following youth-led events focused on understanding the impact of digital media on youth mental health and wellbeing in 6 Northeast Wisconsin communities in late 2023. These events were hosted by ThedaCare’s Community Health Action Teams (CHAT) in Appleton, Berlin, New London, Shawano, Waupaca and Wild Rose.
Learn more about the origins of SYNC:
Digital Media and Youth Well Being
Screen use is increasing while mental health is declining. Youth in Northeastern Wisconsin and around the world are experiencing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. While young people are more “connected” than ever, use of digital devices can lead to “disconnection” from peers, family, and community.
Scientific evidence is building the correlation between screen use and declines in mental, physical and social health. For example, recent evidence indicates excessive screen use reshapes the developing brain in patterns similar to substance abuse. Another study suggests phone ownership before age 13 increases risk for impaired sleep, lower mental health and obesity. (cite each).
Smart phones and digital media do provide many benefits for children, youth and adults. SYNC is not about eliminating digital media use… SYNC is about using smart phones and digital media in intentional ways so that our children, youth, and families are in less conflict, feel more empowered to set boundaries, and have greater potential to thrive.
Learn more about scientific evidence linking youth wellbeing and digital media here.
Improving Youth Wellbeing Takes Everyone
SYNC is a “whole community” movement that focuses on the environments surrounding children and youth and where they spend their time.
In addition to addressing individual behavior, SYNC encourages collective community action to strengthen and build support, connection, and consistent norms that improve mental health and help young people thrive. By shifting local norms from continuous scrolling to intentional tech use, SYNC empowers children, youth, families, schools, and communities to create connections that are healthy, lasting and rooted in belonging.
SYNC is a process that communities own and shape together. SYNC builds on community strengths and upstream solutions, puts youth and family voices at the center, focuses on proactive strategies, uses data and lived experience to guide action, and brings together all partners in the community.
7 Steps to a Thriving Youth Environment
Led by a paid Community Coordinator in each community, SYNC follows a youth and community-driven 7-step cycle to create the environment needed for our children and youth and families to thrive. From building local youth and adult coalitions, gathering real-time local data on youth wellbeing, to taking collective action and celebrating progress, SYNC provides a roadmap for us to strengthen our children, youth, families and community together.
Join a SYNC Coalition near you
Six Northeastern Wisconsin communities are leading the way as part of SYNC’s first cohort launched in early 2026. To learn more and how you can engage, click below on a community near you.
Tools and Resources You Can Use
For more tools and resources you and your community can use, click one of the links below.
Contact SYNC!
If you’ve learned enough to know you’d like to get involved, we invite you to use the form below to start a conversation with our team.
Our Partners
