The 'I Believe in Me' Program: How Jack Gindi Empowers Youth To Navigate The Complex Digital World

The primary role of social media platforms is to establish social connections and initiate conversations. In 2022, 35% of 13 to 17-year-olds acknowledged using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube almost constantly. In addition, despite age restrictions, 38% of children aged 8 to 12 admit to using social media. These numbers showcase its massive influence from a young age.

Recent insights suggest that excessive social media usage among adolescents can lead to detrimental outcomes. For instance, the time they could spend connecting with family and peers or ensuring they get enough rest and sleep is being used for continuously scrolling and engaging on social media platforms. This raises concerns about their holistic well-being.

Another significant factor to consider is the content disseminated across these platforms. Tweens and teens are more susceptible to encountering violent, dangerous, or inaccurate content. Take the flawless personas rampant on social media today, for instance. These can exacerbate body image issues among vulnerable teens and push them toward the black hole of comparison and self-doubt. 

America's Grandpa, Jack Gindi, also affectionately known as Papa Jack, made it his mission to address the issues brought about by social media. He believes that various stakeholders—educators, policymakers, and most especially parents—must collaborate to guide the younger generation in the digital era. 

As the founder of Believe, Become, Be You (BBBY), he acknowledges the growing concern among American youth. Papa Jack recognizes they’re quietly facing challenges during their formative years as they become increasingly sensitive to external validation, and social media’s propagation of unrealistic standards plays a huge role in this. 

This concern hits close to home for Papa Jack, a father of four sons and a proud grandfather of six. He’s aware of parents’ hopes and dreams for their children and is driven to address the issues today’s youth faces. He aims to open the minds of young people to the dangers of blindly accepting everything they see and hear online. "I understand that parents play a pivotal role in their children’s development, and it’s through their leadership that most transformation will happen. By fostering a supportive network around tweens and their families, we help them succeed in various aspects of life and reach their full potential."

Papa Jack encourages them to think critically, trust their instincts, and approach social media cautiously. In addition, he hopes to equip them with the knowledge to make informed choices by empowering them to become independent thinkers. 

“I had to rely on myself, on my inner voice, whenever I made a decision. Everything seemed to align in my favor when I trusted it. When I ignore this guidance, things tend to go awry, but when I embrace it, my life comes together. That’s why the most crucial lesson I can impart is to trust your intuition, filter distractions through your values, and stay curious. Remember, thoughts become things—choose the good ones and apply the code to everything in your life,” Papa Jack shares.

Unfortunately, in a world dominated by technology, the youth seems to be losing touch with this inner wisdom, given that their attention is constantly diverted to their devices. “I just want them to know that who they are is enough. I want them to embrace their own uniqueness and to gaze into the mirror, loving the person who stares back at them,” he states. 

Papa Jack then developed the online I Believe in Me program, after receiving licensing permission from the course's creator, Rebecca Psigoda. It’s an initiative adapted from the New York Times best-selling book, Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams by Mike Dooley. Papa Jack has tailored the program specifically for children and their families, ensuring its accessibility and relevance to young minds.

The I Believe in Me online program imparts crucial life skills among the youth through seven engaging and interactive, online sessions. They learn about self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, and responsible decision-making to confidently navigate life’s challenges, grow, and succeed. Papa Jack also hosts a weekly, live class, where he interacts with all the students to reinforce the lessons learned in the program and to give them the tools to make their dreams come true.

Papa Jack’s commitment to this initiative is so immense that he even encourages his grandchildren to challenge him and critically evaluate the wisdom he imparts. The insights he gains from his grandchildren reinforce his unique approach in the I Believe in Me program. At the same time, he empowers them to think independently and make decisions aligned with their values and aspirations.

Papa Jack recently facilitated a BBBY class in which he used the concepts of the program to empower families. He introduced the principle of living by a code centered on being real, raw, and relevant to achieve desired outcomes in life. Here, the founder taught parents and their children the importance of seeking facts, engaging with raw emotions, maintaining relevant focus, and celebrating the tangible results stemming from these practices. 

This code serves as a powerful framework guiding children and families through life’s complexities with authenticity and purpose, especially as they navigate the digital world where it’s difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

It’s worth emphasizing that the application of this code extends across four areas of life—body, being, balance, and business. Families are encouraged to adopt practices that promote holistic well-being and personal development in these domains, from focusing on nutrition and fitness to nurturing strong relationships and pursuing education and economic stability.

Papa Jack aims to make the I Believe in Me program accessible to all families, irrespective of economic background or financial constraints, through the Kickstarter campaign he has launched. He calls for the collective support of individuals and organizations sharing the same passion for supporting children to reach their full potential. As the campaign gains momentum and supporters rally behind Papa Jack’s vision, the founder’s goal of providing millions of children opportunities to thrive by 2028 is no longer a far-fetched dream. 

"It's more than just social media, it's the world in general. Kids are up against peer pressure in schools, the people they deal with outside of school, and the pressure of trying to perform, academically or otherwise. They're filled with so much stuff that makes them feel up against the wall. So I want to provide them with the tools to understand their feelings, and engage in positive self-talk, resilience, critical thinking, and empathy. They need to know they are unique and enough. That is what my program will be centered around," concludes Papa Jack, America's Grandpa.

Image Credit: Pexels

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