Recent research published in JAMA Network Open (2025) highlights growing evidence that structured social media detox initiatives can support improved mental health outcomes among young people. As communities respond to rising concerns around youth wellbeing, research and practice increasingly show that reducing screen time alone is not enough—what replaces digital engagement plays a critical role in shaping long-term outcomes.
Guided Forest Therapy offers a research-informed, community-based complement to social media detox programs. Through intentional, sensory engagement with natural environments, Forest Therapy supports nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, attention restoration, and social connection—key protective factors for youth mental health. Delivered by trained practitioners and grounded in international standards, Forest Therapy provides a safe, inclusive, and non-clinical space that reframes “detox” as reconnection rather than deprivation.
INFTA recognises Forest Therapy as an evidence-based public health practice, supported by a dynamic international training model that evolves alongside emerging research. This adaptive approach enables Forest Therapy to be ethically and effectively applied across demographics, settings, and cultures—including youth, community groups, and diverse populations—while maintaining consistency, quality, and professional integrity.
As schools, youth services, local councils, and community organisations explore sustainable, preventive responses to youth mental health challenges, integrating guided Forest Therapy into social media detox initiatives represents a promising, low-risk, and scalable pathway toward lasting wellbeing.
References:
- Calvert E, Cipriani M, Dwyer B, et al. Social Media Detox and Youth Mental Health (2025). JAMA Netw Open;8(11):e2545245. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.45245
- Kil, N., Kim, J.G., Thornton, E., Jeranek, A. (2023). Psychological and Physiological Health Benefits of a Structured Forest Therapy Program for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 25(10), 1117–1125. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2023.022981
