From Awareness to Action: How the College of Charleston is Leading the Charge in Digital Wellness
By Kelley Cours Anderson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing, School of Business, College of Charleston and lead for Unplugged Village Charleston
Unplugging is no easy task in today’s hyper-connected world. On a college campus, where technology plays a vital role in both academic and social life, fostering a culture of mindfulness around technology use requires a dedicated community effort. Fortunately, the College of Charleston is leading by example, embracing initiatives that inspire self-reflection and a healthier relationship with technology.
This journey toward digital wellness gained significant momentum over the summer when our First Year Experience team organized a faculty book club. Together, we explored thought-provoking books, including The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, to better understand and support faculty and student well-being.
The discussions were transformative, igniting a shared commitment to help students navigate the challenges of modern digital life. With the passionate leadership of Jen Wright, this group’s enthusiasm set the stage for remarkable progress this fall.
Fostering Empathy Through Faculty Development
Our First Year Experience team began the fall semester with their faculty workshops, integrating discussions on how to cultivate empathy and introduce innovative practices for supporting students in the classroom. These sessions encouraged educators to recognize the unique challenges students face and provided actionable strategies to enhance their learning environments.
Unplug Week: Fall Edition
Building on this foundation, we collaborated across campus to launch our second Unplug Week. This Fall Edition featured an array of Tech-Free and Tech-Light classes, where instructors embraced creative approaches such as outdoor lessons, field trips, and hands-on activities. In my Digital Marketing class, my students pitched ideas to enhance the tech balance initiatives for our class client, Your Attention Please. Beyond the classroom, campus clubs organized engaging events like cooking classes, zine-making workshops, awe walks, meditation sessions, game nights, and more. These activities offered students opportunities to connect, reflect, and recharge.
CofC students on a field trip for Unplug Week.
Screen Savers Club members going on an “Awe walk”.
Empowering Students Through ScreenSaver’s Club
A cornerstone of our unplugging initiatives has been the formation of the ScreenSaver’s Club, dedicated to promoting digital and social media wellness among students. Led by the inspiring Zoe Mulqueen and Emily Rush, the club has focused on peer support, encouraging unplugging practices, and organizing awe walks in Charleston’s picturesque surroundings. During Unplug Week, the club hosted a cozy fall picnic that braved the rain, complete with hot cider, baked goods, coloring activities, and Uno games. This heartwarming event fostered new friendships and a sense of community, underscoring the power of slowing down together.
Culminating in First Year Fest
We closed the semester with the inaugural First Year Fest, a daylong event inspired by the summer book club. This gathering offered insights into common challenges faced by students and showcased strategies to integrate mindfulness, play, and meditation into academic and campus life. I was grateful to help lead a session, “Prioritizing Our Digital Wellness,” with my colleague Katie Tejo Trello. We invited participants to reflect on their habits, set meaningful (non-productive) goals for the holiday break, and brainstorm ideas to elevate digital wellness in classrooms and beyond.
Looking Ahead to a Mindful Future
As we begin a new semester this spring, I’m energized by the progress we’ve made and the collective determination to move beyond awareness toward actionable steps that enhance digital and social media wellness. By continuing to nurture a culture of unplugging and intentional tech use, we are not only helping students and faculty thrive—we are setting the stage for a more balanced and connected community.
The College of Charleston’s commitment to unplugging reminds us that change starts with shared understanding and small, meaningful actions. Together, we’re building a campus culture where mindfulness and connection take center stage, both online and off.
Keep following the Unplugged Village Charleston to see what happens for spring Unplug week. We are looking to expand our efforts to include some of the local K-12 schools and beyond. You can also read a blog from a local Scout Leader to learn how they are incorporating screen time lessons into their activities.
