What if the way we measure social connection is one of the obstacles preventing youth from feeling more connected? What we know about social connection and how it is measured: Social Connection is the opposite of loneliness: a felt sense of being seen, being valued, and belonging. Current assessments of youth social connection reveal that […]

We’re back with another month of connection challenges! This month’s theme is #amomentformemarch because as Dr. Vivek Murthy says: “It turns out that our ability to connect with other people is driven by our ability to connect deeply with ourselves.” We encourage you to take time and intention to focus inward, reconnect or connect more deeply to you, […]

What if social media wasn’t the problem—but part of the solution for youth connection and wellbeing? WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA: As a neuroscientist and WHO Fides member, I’ve been exploring this topic by facilitating global focus groups with youth. Insights from these conversations informed the Stories, Science & Strategies (SSS) […]

Meet Kamryn Fowler. Amid the challenges of the COVID lockdowns during her high school experience, Kamryn felt a deep responsibility to advocate for her peers who were struggling in silence. Recognizing the need for open dialogue, she launched a survey to give voice to their experiences and foster understanding. Kamryn is a firm believer in […]

Meet Nevaeh & Obediah Carranza. Close-knit siblings and the heart behind the organization and band Zero Reasons, they live out their philosophy every day and share it with everyone they meet: “There Are Zero Reasons Not To Be Yourself!” Raised in a military family and constantly on the move, they found consistent support in each […]

Meet Owen Bischoff. Owen has always been passionate about friendship and shares his story to highlight that these connections don’t have to be complicated. By taking just a few minutes to check in, he showcases the transformative power of reaching out. His mission is to inspire others to nurture their relationships, demonstrating that meaningful connections […]

Meet Carter Andre-Van Lith. When a severe softball injury abruptly shifted her identity as a top-performing athlete, Carter found herself in the depths of loneliness and isolation. At her darkest point, she found herself unrecognizable, overwhelmed by the changes in her life and struggling mentally. During her recovery, Carter began the process of rediscovery as […]

Meet Haile Watson. Growing up as a minority in her town, Haile often faced a deep loneliness and isolation when she became a target for racism from her peers. It wasn’t until she got to college that she finally experienced a sense of belonging with her college volleyball team. This transformative experience ignited her passion […]

Meet Ben Higgins. You may recognize him from his time on ABC’s the Bachelor, however Ben’s journey with loneliness began with a deep-seated belief that he was always an outsider. Ben shares how he tried to satisfy that loneliness through many different things, addiction, career success, fame, relationships. It was only when he began to […]

Only7Seconds is excited to announce a major milestone in our mission to end youth loneliness: receiving a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust! This funding will allow us to expand our capacity and programs, helping youth build meaningful relationships and a culture of connection. Social health—our ability to build and maintain positive relationships—is critical […]

Meet Malachi Castilote. Diagnosed at 18 with a rare terminal illness, Malachi is the oldest living child in the United States receiving treatment for Batten’s Disease CLN2. Facing the challenges of his condition, he turned to art & the community around it as an outlet for coping with the loneliness that often accompanies his journey. […]