Rogers is teaming up with one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball to jumpstart its new Screen Break initiative.
Toronto Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage joined Rogers in launching the program by speaking to hundreds of students from local Toronto schools at an event on the campus of Toronto Metropolitan University on Wednesday. Yesavage spoke to the students about healthy screen use and active living as part of Rogers' new national program to help Canadian families address excessive screen use in youth.
“I’m thrilled to be back in Toronto to connect with young people about building a healthier, balanced relationship with their screens,” Yesavage, 22, said in a statement. “It’s great to see Rogers stepping up to support that.”
Rogers launched Screen Break earlier this month, focusing on four pillars to help Canada's youth better balance screen time. Those pillars include parental tools, youth programming, research and partnerships, and education and advocacy.
The program includes working with professional athletes to engage teens in real-life conversations around healthy screen use through a national school program and Unplug and Play events with active living clinics.
Rogers is also partnering with the Dais at TMU, a public policy and leadership think tank, on student-led initiatives, including its Youth Champions program to build healthy digital habits in schools. And the company will issue grants to up to four youth organizations to encourage active living. YMCA is the first national partner.
Rogers has teamed up with a number of elite pro athletes, including Connor McDavid, Marie-Philip Poulin, George Springer, John Tavares and Sarah Nurse, to help inspire teens to rethink their relationship with their screens through social media and advertising.
“Athletes are everyday role models for youth, and we are excited to have Trey Yesavage join us as a Screen Break Ambassador,” said Sarah Zupnik, Rogers Screen Break Program Director, in a statement. “As Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company, we’re thrilled to work with Trey and other athletes to inspire young people to adopt healthy digital habits.”
Families and schools interested in learning more about the Screen Break program can visit Rogers.com/screenbreak for more information.
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