Pause to MAP (Manage, Analyze, and Participate) is a new prevention initiative designed to help young people, their families, and their teachers work together to navigate the challenges of social media—before youth even create an account. The project creates a shared space for conversation and planning, so adults and students can build common expectations, strengthen support systems, and reduce risks associated with online engagement. By focusing on early, proactive skill-building, Pause to MAP aims to prepare youth to make thoughtful choices about how they use digital platforms and how those platforms affect their wellbeing, relationships, and learning.
The program is built by an interdisciplinary team of digital wellness experts, including pediatricians, social workers, educators, and scholars. Together, they are developing an interactive workshop that translates research and real-world experience into practical guidance participants can use immediately. The workshop addresses the potential harms of social media—such as overuse, exposure to harmful content, social comparison, and online conflict—while also recognizing that youth need realistic tools (not just rules) to thrive in connected environments.
Pause to MAP counters social media harms by strengthening three core capacities: self-regulation (Manage), media literacy and critical analysis (Analyze), and responsible, values-based digital citizenship (Participate). Participants learn best practices for setting boundaries, recognizing persuasive design and misinformation, and engaging respectfully and safely in online communities. By aligning youth, caregivers, and educators around shared strategies, Pause to MAP supports healthier digital habits and helps communities build a preventative culture of care, reflection, and empowerment.