Younger generations are so quickly told what to do, how to do, when to do all day everyday. When it comes to tech use, they’ll quickly stop listening once this lecture begins. We would too. This is why we ask our younger generations about their pain points, what they want, and what they need to improve and support their mental health and safety in the digital world.

LookUp is a 501(c)3 social venture dedicated to helping young people thrive in the digital world. We support the impact of youth led solutions for improving mental health and safety in the digital world through unique innovations, solutions, storytelling, and advocacy.

We are not an anti-tech or anti-social media organization. We recognize different philosophies of technology use: from embracing all potential tech benefits to focusing in on intentional, value-adding online activities. We believe in finding a balance that fits individual needs, whether it's a digital break or sharing experiences online to spark change.

Teen mental health has declined and continues to do so. Recent studies show that while social media use is NOT causational, it is correlational. Meaning, social media does not cause poor mental health. The use of it is all correlational. For the social media user who is more passive and frequent with use might feel more depressed, stuck, and isolated from reality. With social media use, mental health moves in tandem according to certain factors. Cite a study here.

The need for change revealed itself to us years ago and now the problem is screaming for an answer while our children and young adult leaders are suffering. This gave us more than enough reason to act and catalyze change. The change we’re seeking centers on giving youth the support to create the change that they need. We’ve taken ourselves out of the solution completely.

In 1997, when Susan Reynolds, a life-long educator and Co-Founder of LookUp.live, was the director of academic technology for an all-boys middle school, she witnessed the promise and peril of the internet and became deeply concerned about technology’s role in young lives.

After 22 impassioned years working on digital wellbeing, mindfulness, and youth leadership, Susan came to an “aha” moment while waiting for a flight in Santa Barbara, CA. Nearly 100% of all solutions have been designed by adults. No one was asking the kids to come up with the solution.

Now, we are.

And there it began. With one kitchen conversation, Susan and her mother, Ann Reynolds, who was also an educator, Co-Founded LookUp to give young people the opportunity to live in a healthier and more humane digital world.

"Young people have and are the answers to the complex digital issues facing them today. We must continue to listen, invest in, and support their ideas and actions."

— Ann Reynolds, Co-Founder of LookUp.

Our leaders of the future are hurting in many ways so now we have the opportunity to help, give back, and guide to wholeness, wellness, and safety in the online world.