Helping Parents Navigate the Teenage Social Media Crisis: SOAR Foundation’s New Campaign with Droga5 Dublin

In a world where digital connectivity is constant, The SOAR Foundation and Droga5 Dublin have launched a powerful new campaign, ‘Face Not Recognised’, aimed at supporting parents as they navigate the emotional and behavioral changes they’re noticing in their teens. This reactive press campaign speaks directly to the growing fear that social media is having a silent but significant impact on the lives of young people—and their families.

The Rising Tide of Parental Anxiety in the Age of Social Media

In recent years, anxiety, loneliness, and toxic online environments have come to dominate conversations about teenage mental health. Social media platforms, once seen as fun and empowering, are increasingly being viewed as contributors to emotional distress among adolescents. According to Droga5 Dublin, this shift in perception has reached a breaking point.

Contributing to this unease is Netflix’s breakout series Adolescence, which has acted as a cultural mirror, reflecting back at society the stark realities of growing up in a digitally driven world. The show struck a chord with many parents, particularly mothers of teenage boys—dubbed “boy moms”—who took to TikTok and forums to express their concern and confusion.

As The New Yorker aptly put it, this trend is more than casual commentary; it’s “an expression of parental panic.” Many parents feel helpless, watching their children grow more distant, disengaged, or emotionally volatile—often without understanding why.

SOAR Foundation’s Mission: Thirteen Years of Empowering Young People

The SOAR Foundation is no stranger to the complexities of adolescence. For over thirteen years, the Irish-based nonprofit has worked directly with teenagers, parents, and teachers, providing tools and workshops designed to foster emotional resilience and open communication.

According to Tracey Dollard, CEO of The SOAR Foundation, the themes explored in Adolescence align with what their team sees every day in their work. “It’s a powerful and frightening insight into the current teenage reality,” she says. “And it’s understandably confronting for parents.”

SOAR’s mission is not to instill fear, but to offer hope. The organization offers free, accessible resources that can help parents understand and respond to sudden shifts in their children’s behavior—especially those linked to digital consumption.

‘Face Not Recognised’: A Campaign for Real Support

The name of the campaign—‘Face Not Recognised’—is a striking metaphor for the parental experience of watching a once-familiar child become a stranger. It reflects the confusion many feel when their teen's once open demeanor becomes closed off, irritable, or consumed by online content.

The campaign encourages parents not to ignore these changes but to act on them by seeking guidance and support from SOAR. The Foundation provides actionable advice and emotional support tools that can bridge the gap between parents and teens.

“We urge anyone who has a concern about the young people in their lives to get in touch,” says Dollard.

Reaching Teens Where They Are: In Schools and Online

While the campaign is parent-focused, its outreach doesn't stop there. Droga5 Dublin and SOAR made a concerted effort to engage with teenagers directly, particularly in schools, where much of the stress and disconnection can become visible.

One of the most innovative aspects of the campaign is the ambient messaging placed on school bathroom mirrors, a space where teens are alone, and perhaps most open to self-reflection. These messages offer empathy and a direct lifeline in the form of SOAR’s text helpline, giving teens an immediate, judgment-free resource.

Beyond physical spaces, the campaign smartly harnesses digital platforms like TikTok, where SOAR Facilitators—young adults trained to connect with youth—share authentic content. By using peer-driven videos, the initiative ensures that the message lands with credibility in a space teens trust.

Turning Cultural Conversation into Tangible Action

For Stephen Rogers, Creative Director at Droga5 Dublin, the campaign is deeply personal. “I’m a dad to a 10-year-old boy, so Adolescence was an emotional rollercoaster for me, like it was for parents across the world,” he explains.

That emotional weight led to an urgent creative response. “The show sparked an important conversation, but parents were left wondering – what do I do if I see something change?” he says.

The answer? A collaborative campaign that doesn’t just raise awareness but offers real solutions—from SOAR’s helplines and school outreach programs to content designed to speak directly to both parents and teens.

A Blueprint for Support in a Confusing Time

The partnership between SOAR and Droga5 Dublin is more than a marketing campaign; it's a public health initiative. It acknowledges the anxiety parents feel, validates their concerns, and gives them a constructive path forward.

In an age where digital content often moves faster than dialogue between parents and teens, this campaign offers a pause and a bridge—a chance to reconnect, understand, and support young people on their journey through adolescence.