Toronto Blue Jays' Trey Yesavage kicks off Rogers Screen Break initiative

Rogers Communications officially launched its Screen Break school initiative alongside Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage.

The 22-year-old right-hander helped kick off the program on Wednesday, speaking to students from Toronto-area schools during an event held at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Earlier this month, Rogers announced the launch of Screen Break, a new national program with four pillars to help balance screen time including parental tools, youth programming, research & partnerships, and education & 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.

“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.

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. 

As part of the education and advocacy pillar, Rogers is working with its partner athletes and on-air talent to inspire teens to rethink their relationship with their screens through social media and advertising.

Athletes including George Springer, Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse helped kick off the program with videos sharing their thoughts on screen time.

A recent Rogers study found that Canadian youth aged 11-17 spend 5.2 hours per day on their phones, far exceeding the two-hour recreational screen time limit set by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Visit Rogers.com/screenbreak for more information on the program and resources to help families.

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