Freedom Factory Combats the Pressures of Social Media with Music
The rise of social media, for all the good it has done, has also brought with it its fair share of issues. In the age of oversharing, children and young adults are facing mounting pressures, struggling against the rise of anxiety, body image issues, and the cowardly act of cyber-bullying. In an effort to counteract this damaging trend, a new initiative designed to help children cope with the mounting pressures of growing up in the digital age officially launched in a ceremony held in Nottinghamshire this past Friday.
Freedom Factory, founded by Stacey Green and Laura Grant, aims to utilise music in the battle against the detrimental aspects of the social media generation. They idea arose after the pair became increasingly aware of just how much pressure social media sites can place on children.
Freedom Factory, founded by Stacey Green and Laura Grant, aims to utilise music in the battle against the detrimental aspects of the social media generation. They idea arose after the pair became increasingly aware of just how much pressure social media sites can place on children.
 |
| Laura Grant & Stacey Green, co-founders of Freedom Factory - Img: Nottingham Post |
Co-founder Stacey Green, who currently runs Freedom Dance
and Performance, said of the new initiative, “Between us we have three
daughters and two sons, and we've seen what they face with the acceleration of
social media and 'selfie' culture.
“Anxieties, disorders, bullying and depression are becoming
the norm as they and their friends spent hours online on apps like Instagram
and Snapchat.
“Social media is an influence unlike anything we've ever
seen before. It's left youngsters concerned about body image, wanting to be
accepted, yearning to be 'liked' and led to online bullying from sometimes
faceless trolls.”
Then pair hope that the services offered by Freedom Factory will help those youngsters who attend to grow in confidence and appreciate their own talents and virtues, rather than desperately seeking validation online.
Laura Grant, the initiative's other co-founder who currently serves as head of fundraising at domestic abuse charity Equation, said of the initiative and its goals, “Any sort of art is a great environment for people to
explore emotions and challenges through.
“I think, particularly with the impact of social media over
the past few years, that we've seen children and young people questioning
themselves, who they should be and how they should dress, constantly looking at
themselves and comparing themselves.
“It was something we really felt could enable children to
have a forum to challenge that and think it's okay to be different, you don't
have to be like anyone else.”
Eleven schools have signed up to Freedom Factory at the time of writing. From September, Freedom Factory will run sessions at all registered schools, training children in all aspects of the music industry in the hope of granting them the confidence needed to rise above the negative potential of the social media age.
Sam
is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers.
Currently working as Editor of Social Songbird, he hopes to one day drop that
'aspiring' prefix. Follow him @Songbird_Sam
Contact
us on Twitter,
on Facebook, or
leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or
management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
Freedom Factory Combats the Pressures of Social Media with Music
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Monday, May 22, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Monday, May 22, 2017
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.