In the bustling halls of Chelsea High, where screens flicker and notifications reign, Matt Pedlow, an innovative Econ teacher, disrupts the digital norm by challenging his students to a radical experiment. A week without social media becomes the unexpected crucible, forcing students to confront the impact of virtual connections on their real lives. As the challenge unfolds, friendships are tested, secrets are exposed, and the true cost of constant connectivity emerges in this gripping tale of a high school experiment. 

There are mixed perspectives among students here at CHS. Most of the students who took on the challenge cared about their addiction and at least attempted it, but one defied norms.

“I didn’t enjoy it because I value my time on TikTok,” senior Julien Korner said. “I believe that I have no attachment to social media as well.” 

Given the extensive research connected to brain activity and student productivity, Julien’s opinion is not common, but other students expressed different points of view.

“It was enlightening; it made me realize our dependence on social media,” senior Thomas Olaveson said. “I also thought it was refreshing. The hardest part was communicating with my friends.” 

Olaveson did the entire challenge, but other students found themselves filling their consumption cravings with different types of media.

“It was quite the challenge, but I overcame my urge by watching a lot of YouTube and TV,” senior Jack Murray said.

Watching Netflix, playing video games, and watching YouTube became very common for students involved in the challenge.

“Social media was my life,” senior Braden McKenzie said. “When I woke up, went to school, and went to bed, I was on social media. Pedlow was my saving grace by sweeping my ‘life legs’ out from under me and making me crawl again and learn how to ‘walk’ without social media and live my life disinfecting it.”