Analog Alpha launches nonprofit in Sherwood

This article has been updated from its original version

A new local nonprofit wants to help people stop their technology addictions with education and community connection — and by making it a cool act of defiance for kids to put down their phones and video games.

Daniel Golder launched the Analog Alpha in Sherwood, and held its first meeting on October 22. According to Golder, about 35 people attended, and childcare was provided on-site.

“The two big things are equipping and connecting,” Golder said.

The equipping part includes sharing information and learning about how advancing technology, like cell phones and social media, affect adult and adolescent brains with educational books, articles, videos, and studies on the topics.

The second part is about connecting with community in non-digital — or analog — ways. This includes local chapter meetings where people can learn about the effects of technology, and also take part in other hobbies like forging, embroidery, crafting, hunting, fishing, camping, listening to vinyl records, or just having a space to hang out with no phones.

“A few years ago, I started thinking about this and tracking the effect that social media and screen time is having on young people, or just humanity in general,” Golder said. “I just noticed how many people are not taking into account all the informational resources that are out there about the potential dangers of social media and screen time … I thought we should do something about this next generation.”

Generation Alpha includes kids born between 2010-2024.

Golder said he has three kids in Generation Alpha ages 10 and younger, and his oldest daughter expressed feelings of isolation by not being allowed to play Roblox with many of the other kids at school. He said Roblox’s moral compass is to make more money and get more users, but since it attracts kids it also attracts predators and could be a risky place for kids to play online. 

“What about kids … who might feel ostracized already, and this is the only way I have to connect with my classmates?” Golder said. “Part of the vision of Analog Alpha is to connect both adults and alphas with one another and equip them with information about Roblox, social media, or screen time.”

Golder plans to launch second and third chapters in Newberg and Tualatin by next year, and envisions a national movement. Each chapter will have sub-chapters based on elementary school maps, so members can really get to know each other and connect on a hyperlocal level. Of course, homeschoolers, seniors, and older kids are welcome to join. 

“I've got a smart watch, a smartphone, an iPad, and a computer. Technology is incredibly helpful, but for this next generation having your brain grow up around this device while you're going through puberty, while you're developing, is going to affect your brain chemistry and neural pathways for forever,” Golder said. “We’re all addicted and that’s affecting us.”

The chapters can also discuss different household rules surrounding technology and what works for them, what makes it worse, and how to intentionally help keep kids safer.

“One way to gain status and respect from our peers is to do things that go against mom and dad,” Golder said. “But what if we make being an Analog Alpha an act of rebellion against the status quo — like, yeah, I'm not on Roblox, I’m an Analog Alpha. Or, do you know what a notification is? That's a billionaire scheduling a thought in your brain. Do you like that? We’ve got to be thoughtful about how we’re communicating this.”

Studies show excessive screen time for Generation Alpha causes damage to mental health, showing increases in suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping.

“It's vicious too, and it's round-the-clock bullying,” Golder said. “That stuff is poisoning us slowly, so we’d rather engage in normal, physical human interaction, which by the way is how humans have interacted for all of human history. This is the first generation that has been exposed to the digital world.” 

Golder is a Millennial who studied political science from George Fox University, and earned a master’s in theology from Western Seminary, worked at the Youth Outreach services at Yamhill County Action Partnership, and now works as a pastor at Orchards Church here in Sherwood.

Currently, Analog Alpha is accepting new members as well as donations, hoping to raise $40,000 to help pay a part-time administrator. The nonprofit is also building chapter teams for marketing, merchandising, fundraising, and researching.

Join a chapter, learn more, or donate at analogalpha.org.