The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time Joins Fund IRL to Support Youth in Real Life
The Problem: Young people are facing rising mental health challenges, isolation, and spending more time in digital environments.
The Gap: Too many young people lack access to safe, engaging, real-world opportunities and mental health supports that provide real-world connection.
The Opportunity: If social media lawsuits result in settlements or other payouts, those resources could create a significant new opportunity to invest in youth well-being.
The Solution: Invest in programs, services, and “in real life” opportunities that promote youth well-being and healthy development by creating connection, belonging, support, and engaging experiences that help young people grow and prepare for what comes next.
Young people are seeking real-world connection, belonging, and engaging experiences. Afterschool, summer, service, mentoring, outdoors, sports, arts, libraries, and mental health programs provide the kinds of environments where young people can grow and experience joy. In these spaces, they build relationships, develop skills, and feel confident and supported as they find their footing in the world.
Young people don’t just need less screen time. They need more opportunities to connect in real life.
Community-based supports, like afterschool and youth development programs, help create environments where young people build relationships, develop confidence, and feel a sense of belonging as they find their footing in the world.
Too many young people still don’t have access to these kinds of opportunities. Cost, transportation, and limited availability continue to create barriers, especially in underserved communities.
At the same time, social media lawsuits are moving forward across the country. If these cases result in settlements or other payouts, they could create a significant opportunity to invest in programs, services, and systems that strengthen youth well-being at scale.
What matters now is how those funds are used – and whether they reach programs that support young people directly.
If these cases result in settlements, states will face an immediate and consequential question: How should those resources be used?
Funding outcomes are not automatic. Without established guardrails and early planning, settlement resources can be redirected toward broader budget priorities rather than the young people they are intended to benefit.
With clear planning, they can be used to strengthen systems that directly support young people. Fund IRL supports clear guardrails for any future funds: resources should be directed to young people, allocated equitably, guided by evidence and community needs, and governed transparently with meaningful input from youth, families, providers, and community leaders.
How You Can Help
Be part of a growing coalition aligned around a clear, shared strategy.
Use shared Fund IRL messages about youth well-being and how potential social media litigation funds should be used.
Engage Leaders
Reach out to policymakers and begin the conversation now, before decisions are set.
Share What You See
Your programs and partnerships show what this looks like in practice.
This is a moment where alignment matters. Those who engage now will shape what happens later.
One Step to Get Started
Share one message this week. Start one conversation. Bring one new partner into the work. Follow Fund IRL on LinkedIn and start sharing.
For any questions, concerns, ideas, please contact VPOST Executive Director, Blaire Denson.
