Tech Addiction

Tech Addiction – As an educator, one of the most noticeable changes I observed after returning to school post-COVID was the increasing issue of tech addiction among students. There has been a significant shift in how students interact with the world around them. Many have developed a deep dependency on technology, relying heavily on instant answers and gratification. With just a quick search, everything they need is immediately available—right from their pocket. This constant access has altered attention spans, reduced patience, and changed the way young people engage with learning and problem-solving.

This growing concern is one of the main reasons I chose to create a mobile service designed to get people back into nature—to escape the constant 3G, 5G connection and immerse themselves in the healing beauty of the rainforest. Taking a break from technology is not easy, and I know this firsthand. I struggle with tech addiction in my own home, raising three young adults who are just as immersed in their screens. Fortunately, my wife’s family owns a cabin at the end of Lake Cowichan, and we often retreat there for weeks at a time to unplug.

During these trips, we spend our days playing in the water, cooking meals together, paddleboarding, and tubing behind the boat. It usually takes about three full days of whining and complaining before I see the shift—when our kids finally emerge from the fog of technology, leave the cabin, and start entertaining each other with creativity and laughter. Those first few days are tough, watching them detox from their devices, but the transformation that follows is always worth it.

Elevate Community Connections was born out of this exact realization. The program is designed to take young adults into nature for short, manageable durations to begin building the capacity to fight tech addiction. The first step is always building a relationship—creating trust and connection—before gradually increasing time spent in natural environments. Through breathwork, movement, stillness, and adventure, we focus on how the body naturally relaxes and resets when it is away from screens and devices. It’s not about shame or restriction—it’s about rediscovering the joy of being present, connected, and alive.