Digital Detox

digital detox

Helping Young People Cope With The Pressures Of Digital Dependency

OUR nEXT available camps:

7 APRIL - 14 APRIL, 2024 (Laidley)

23 June - 30 June, 2024 (Laidley)

The world’s technology consumption has drastically increased in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic started affecting our everyday lives, however the true addiction to technology is becoming increasingly obvious in young people. The Digital Detox Program is an early intervention program for 12-14 year olds who are already showing signs of digital dependence.

Held every school holidays, the kids will attend a fully funded 8-day camp at Kokoda Park, located in the foothills of Mt Beau Brummel, about 20 minutes’ drive West of Laidley. This youth program will be facilitated by our trained Kokoda Youth Services staff, a professional counsellor, and our outdoor education instructors.

Through a series of adventure-based activities and educational workshops, these kids will be given the opportunity to totally disconnect from technology – that’s right, there is no reception at Kokoda Park so they couldn’t scroll, even if they wanted to!

During their digital detox, the kids will be encouraged to evaluate their overall well-being and create healthy new habits and boundaries surrounding their use of personal devices.

Time Away from Tech

The aim of this youth program is for the kids to create new connections, engage in physical activity, undertake wilderness expeditions and learn mindfulness techniques, as they enjoy our peaceful and comfortable Kokoda Park facilities. The kids will spend their time making the most of the outdoor education activities like the high ropes course, archery, and orienteering.

Some of these outdoor experiences will truly challenge the kids as they explore activities outside their comfort zone. The sense of pride and achievement that comes with achieving these physical feats is something we hope they will take with them into the future. You can do anything you set your mind to!

Through a series of education workshops throughout the program, the kids will come to the eye-opening realisation and understanding that the programming of social media and gaming platforms as tools for corporations to profit, which can only be achieved through reliance and unhealthy attachments.

The good news is that technology can also be used to improve young people’s mental health when used correctly. By educating kids on the connection to behaviours that are triggered by digital use, we can arm them with the techniques to overcome and reduce their impact. This program is not about eradicating the use of digital devices, but it aims to help young people gain the skills to better balance their lives and reduce the negative emotional and social impact of digital dependency.

Throughout their stay at Kokoda Park, the kids take inspiration from the Kokoda values: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice which are shared through the story of the Kokoda Campaign in 1942.

The Detox is only the Beginning

To achieve the best outcomes possible from this youth program, a parent or guardian for each kid will be required to attend the final two days of the camp at Kokoda Park.

This will allow families to have a united approach to learning about digital dependence and form strategies together in order to help create healthier habits at home. These two days will also encourage parents to live in the moment more with their developing teen, perhaps also helping them realise their own digital dependence.

If you (or your teen) are aged 12-14 and would benefit from a digital disconnect these school holidays, sign up now and develop the skills and habits to thrive in a digital world.