‘How truly dissatisfied I was with my life’: JMU student warns others about the dangers of excessive social media use
HENRICO, Va (WRIC) -- James Madison University student Harrison Haynes says he knows all too well about the dangers of social media. Haynes says when he was 12, he met someone claiming to be a 19-year-old man while playing video games online. He says that person eventually exposed him to pornography and content involving self-harm. Soon after, Haynes developed a pornography addiction and contemplated suicide. “The biggest part of my story is how truly dissatisfied I was with my life,” Haynes told 8News. On Thursday, Haynes -- now 21 years of age -- joined Governor Glenn Youngkin in Henrico for the announcement of a new executive order that requires state agencies to work together to try and address the challenges caused by excessive social media use. “We, together, are going to work together to reclaim Virginia’s youth’s childhood,” Youngkin said. As part of Youngkin’s efforts, the state will develop a “Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit” and establish a “Reclaiming Childhood” task force. "My whole life was mediated through a screen," Haynes said. "I realized that it was time to wake up. To take a step out. Take a leap of faith, and be unapologetically human again." Haynes says his transformation started when he made the conscious effort to spend less time online, something he recommends for everyone, both kids and adults. “It’s not going to start by going completely off, but just say, 'Today, I am going to spend 30 minutes less on my phone than I did yesterday.' Or 10 minutes, or five minutes. Whatever is manageable,” he said.
VENN
HENRICO, Va (WRIC) -- James Madison University student Harrison Haynes says he knows all too well about the dangers of social media.
Haynes says when he was 12, he met someone claiming to be a 19-year-old man while playing video games online. He says that person eventually exposed him to pornography and content involving self-harm. Soon after, Haynes developed a pornography addiction and contemplated suicide.
“The biggest part of my story is how truly dissatisfied I was with my life,” Haynes told 8News.
On Thursday, Haynes -- now 21 years of age -- joined Governor Glenn Youngkin in Henrico for the announcement of a new executive order that requires state agencies to work together to try and address the challenges caused by excessive social media use.
“We, together, are going to work together to reclaim Virginia’s youth’s childhood,” Youngkin said.
As part of Youngkin’s efforts, the state will develop a “Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit” and establish a “Reclaiming Childhood” task force.
"My whole life was mediated through a screen," Haynes said. "I realized that it was time to wake up. To take a step out. Take a leap of faith, and be unapologetically human again."
Haynes says his transformation started when he made the conscious effort to spend less time online, something he recommends for everyone, both kids and adults.
“It’s not going to start by going completely off, but just say, 'Today, I am going to spend 30 minutes less on my phone than I did yesterday.' Or 10 minutes, or five minutes. Whatever is manageable,” he said.
