Amid ongoing concerns over social media’s effect on young people, New Hampshire has a rare opportunity to leverage Meta-related funds into lasting programmes that foster real-world connections and mental health resilience among its youth.
New Hampshire has a rare opening to turn money from its litigation with Meta into something that could shape children’s lives long after the headlines fade. The larger question is not simply how to respond to the harms associated with social media, but what the state is willing to build in their place.
That question matters because the state’s own youth data show both risk and resilience. The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 82.6% of New Hampshire high school students used social media several times a day and 75.1% spent at least three hours daily on recreational screen time outside schoolwork. At the same time, 34.2% said they felt persistently sad or hopeless, while 15.9% said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous year. New Hampshire Public Radio and mental health advocates have noted that those figures have improved since the height of the pandemic, but they still point to a generation that needs stronger real-world support.
The same survey also suggests that connection can make a difference. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, 60% of students in 2025 said they felt connected to their communities, up from 54.8% in 2023. Nearly 74% said they had at least one teacher or other adult at school they could turn to with a problem, and more than 85% said they would feel comfortable seeking help from an adult other than a parent about an important issue in their lives. Those findings echo what young people themselves say they want: sports, theater, clubs, outdoor activities, public spaces and places to spend time with friends.
That kind of belonging, advocates say, is not a luxury. Tricia Brannen, executive director of YouthWell New Hampshire, has said that feeling seen and supported is a powerful protective factor for mental health. The adults who provide that support are not limited to classrooms; they include coaches, mentors, librarians, camp counselors, recreation staff and youth workers. They are often found in after-school and summer programs, arts organisations, libraries, community centers and outdoor education settings.
But good programs do not automatically reach the young people who need them. Leigh Ann Reynolds of New Hampshire Environmental Educators said barriers such as transportation, cost, time, awareness and geography can keep youth from participating, especially in rural areas. Stacy Neville, vice president of operations at The Granite YMCA, said staffing shortages can also limit how far programs can expand, even when physical space is available. That is why advocates with Fund IRL NH are urging state leaders to use the Meta-related funds not just for short-term projects, but for long-term investments in after-school and summer programs, recreation, mentoring, libraries, youth leadership, prevention efforts and behavioral health supports. Their argument is straightforward: if the state expects young people to log off, it should make sure there is something worth stepping into when they do.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
