Sherwood-based nonprofit Analog Alpha expands to Newberg, West Linn, with strategies for life beyond social media
The nonprofit launched just one year ago, and is already growing.
SHERWOOD, Ore. — Generation Alpha — youngsters up to the age of 16 — need to spend less time on social media, according to the founder of Sherwood nonprofit Analog Alpha.
“Analog Alpha is a volunteer-run organization with the goal of starting local chapters that make a difference in their area,” said Founder Daniel Golder. “The organization started its first chapter in Sherwood last October.”
This fall, the nonprofit plans to launch chapters in West Linn and Newberg.
Golder, who lives outside of Sherwood and has a full-time job as pastor at Orchard’s Church in Sherwood, said spiking rates of suicide, anxiety, depression have been plaguing young people since social media.
“The suicide rate for 10- to 14-year-old girls has skyrocketed 167% since social media entered our pockets,” he said. “We ought to do something about that.”
At Analog Alpha, “There is a large group of incredible leaders, volunteers and board members that are making things happen,” Golder said. “For me, the heart behind it (Analog Alpha) is a heart for helping Generation Alpha not have the same mental health outcomes that have happened to Gen Z.”
Golder said the only way forward is through community, and telling a new story to a new generation.
“If we can form communities of adults and Alphas together, (who) see a new vision for how communities should move forward, that’s a powerful movement within a community,” Golder said.
Golder said the goal of Analog Alpha “is to change the trajectory of Generation Alpha, and we are happy to be present in any community that’s interested in having us there.”
According to Golder, Analog Alpha is receiving requests from other places in the state, “but we want to get our feet underneath the Portland metro, initially, to have a few launches under our belt before we go national or across state lines,” he said.
Analog Alpha is all volunteer-led. He said, “I’m not paid, we don’t have a staff. We have a board and we’re raising funds.”
Golder said the goal of each chapter of Analog Alpha is to help Generation Alpha live a more analog life. He describes analog as putting technology back in its rightful place as a tool.
Golder hopes backing away from social media will help kids develop social connections.
“One of the great ways to do that is engaging with the local library, going to the bookstore, the game store, or a coffee shop, (and) creating social spaces for kids to have those social connections that aren’t mediated through a screen,” he said.
He added, “We want to create as many spaces as possible for young people to engage with each other, face to face.”
Golder says parents can play a part in the growing problem of internet addiction.
“We have something called the Parent Pledge on our website,” he said. “Before we can deal with children and their addiction, perhaps the grownups in the room should deal with our addiction to our devices and the impact that our devices are having on us.”
Golder said kids model behavior from what they see, not necessarily what they are taught.
“If I’m a kid growing up and I see Dad on his phone all the time, I’m going to think that’s normal and that’s how things should be,” Golder said. “Our Parent Pledge is a fantastic way to commit to a healthier relationship between parents and their devices.”
Find out more about how to join a chapter and the Parent Pledge at www.analogalpha.org.
