New Hampshire's young people don’t just need less screen time. They need more opportunities to be active, engaged, connected, and heard … in real life.

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When New Hampshire’s youth are not in school or at home with their family, it is the afterschool, summer learning, service, mentoring, outdoors, sports, arts, and mental health programs—the “third space”—that provide them with the critical safe spaces and opportunities they need to build relationships, develop confidence, and feel a sense of belonging as they find their footing in the world.

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Unfortunately, too many young New Hampshire youth still don’t have access to these kinds of opportunities because of barriers like cost, transportation, and limited availability.

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At the same time, social media lawsuits are moving forward across the country, with a first settlement for $17.1B announced in August 2026 (with $158M earmarked for New Hampshire).

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It is imperative that these funds be used to directly support New Hampshire’s young people.

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We urge you today to join New Hampshire Afterschool Network and the national coalition Fund IRL in calling on New Hampshire’s lawmakers to invest these social media settlement funds in programs and services that provide real-world connection, mentorship, and opportunity to support youth well-being.