Youth Digital
Well-Being

The New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network (NMOST) is committed to ensuring that youth in New Mexico have access to out-of-school time opportunities that help them balance the benefits and harms of social media and other technologies. NMOST’s Digital Well-Being Initiative advocates for investment in preventative measures, online safety, in-person alternatives to social media and gaming, and digital literacy supports for youth.  

Fund IRL

NMOST has received a grant through the Children’s Funding Project to serve as  the state coordinator for Fund IRL. 

Fund IRL is a national coalition working to ensure any payouts from current social media lawsuits help fund programs and services that promote youth well-being and healthy development. “In real life” (IRL) opportunities—ones where young people build skills, make friends, and grow—are a powerful antidote to the harms of social media. 

In September, NMOST launched the New Mexico Youth Digital Safety Taskforce. This group includes experts from out-of-school time programs, mental health organizations, foundations, school leaders, and advocates for New Mexico youth. The taskforce will work to bring together leadership across sectors to strategize about how to support youth digital well-being in New Mexico. 

Watch NMOST's
Youth Digital Safety Roundtable

On June 24, NMOST hosted a Roundtable on Youth Digital Safety in partnership with the New Mexico Attorney General, who joined us to present information about the State of New Mexico v. Meta Platforms, Inc. lawsuit. A panel of teen center leaders from around the state discussed their approaches to ensuring youth digital safety and shared their IRL programs in their out-of-school time sites. 

Get Involved

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is traveling around the state on a Keeping Kids Safe tour. We will keep you posted on upcoming dates in your community. 

If you’re interested in joining NMOST’s Youth Digital Well-Being Coalition, email igates@nmost.org. 

Resources

Netsmartz is an interactive, educational program that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on and offline.

i-Safe is an organization dedicated to educating and empowering young people to safely, responsibly, and productively use Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Common Sense Media is an organization that empowers parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.

Today’s online landscape is treacherous for children and teenagers. The responsibility of safeguarding them from a myriad of online dangers is paramount and evolves every day. The New Mexico Department of Justice recognizes the immediate need to equip parents, guardians, and educators with the tools to protect every child from these pervasive dangers.

The NMDOJ offers a series of social media privacy how-to guides, including video game consoles, which have been crafted to provide you with the steps to help protect your child or children online.

Roblox

YouTube

Snapchat

X (Formerly Twitter)

Twitch

TikTok

Gaming Consoles

Reddit

Meta Platforms

Discord