Abels Run reconnects Tasmanian youth with their natural environment through engaging outdoor services and support, helping them disconnect from screens when they need it most. We collaborate primarily with local organisations to benefit Tasmania’s communities.
Abels Run believes the solution to tech addiction lies in re-engagement and education. Our accessible services provide support for those in need. Discover what we offer and why it matters.
Check out our exclusive merchandise and support our cause. Every purchase helps us re-engage Tasmanian youth with their natural environment.
Shop NowTasmania’s youth are facing a crisis. Too many are disconnected from our state’s natural wonders, trapped by screens that steal their time, health, and connection to the world around them.
The cost is undeniable: rising mental health struggles, weakened physical wellbeing, fractured families and a generation losing touch with the clean air, native wildlife, and iconic landscapes that define Tasmania. We’ve seen it ourselves, young people growing up unaware of the profound value of our landscapes, only realising their importance too late.
This is more than a trend; it’s an urgent wake-up call. Technology, while valuable, has gone too far,
with addictive platforms pulling kids away from healthy habits. Australian youth fail to meet
minimal guidelines to live healthy lifestyle, schools lack the resources to take students into
nature, and families feel powerless, often battling their own screen habits. We’re failing our
youth, but Abels Run is here to change that.
Through re-engagement programs like bushwalks and nature camps, and preventive education for families and schools, we’re fighting back. Partnering with local organisations, we offer experiences that reconnect youth with Tasmania’s wilderness, fostering resilience and wellbeing. Our mission is to break the cycle of screen addiction and ensure young Tasmanians grow up cherishing their island’s unique environment. Join us in this critical fight to restore balance and protect the future and well-being of our youth. Find out more throughout the website.
Abels Run began in late 2021 when our founder, Noah, launched a fundraising campaign for the Cancer Council's "Do It for Cancer" program. His inspiration was rooted in a deep love for Tasmania’s natural beauty, nurtured through his pursuit of summiting the state’s 158 Abel mountains as an avid mountaineer.
The driving force behind this mission was profoundly personal - an act of love and support for his terminally ill grandmother, Sheila Jackson, who battled multiple health conditions, including cancer. Sheila’s resilience inspired Noah to push the limits of this physically demanding challenge. In her spare time, Sheila was dedicated to knitting blankets for disadvantaged youth. This remains a cornerstone of Abels Run’s ethos. Tragically, Sheila passed away in early 2022, leaving Noah her wedding ring, which he carries daily as a cherished symbol of her strength. To date, Abels Run has raised over $10,000 for the Cancer Council, reflecting our commitment and the community’s generous support.
Abels Run has evolved into an independent charitable organisation, focused on making a difference when it’s needed most. Explore our website to learn more about our mission and programs - we’d love for you to join us!
Noah is the driving force behind Abels Run, the visionary who started this journey and leads the delivery of our services. However, he’s quick to emphasise that this is a collaborative effort. Growing up with limited access to natural environments and discovering their value later in life, Noah recognised the urgent need for a platform like Abels Run to reconnect youth with nature. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Noah developed a deep interest in how technology impacts society, particularly the wellbeing of younger generations. His experiences and insights fuel his passion for creating opportunities where youth can step away from screens, embrace the outdoors, and rediscover its benefits for mental and physical health.
Tyler has been a vital part of Abels Run from the outset, bringing compassion and creativity to the team. A Hobart-based family man, Tyler specialises in graphic design and is dedicated to using his skills for charitable causes. His creative vision shapes Abels Run’s brand and outreach, ensuring our message resonates with the community. Tyler is also driven by a personal goal to win a Diemen Award, aligning with our commitment to excellence. Together, Noah and Tyler strive to achieve this recognition as a testament to the quality and impact of Abels Run.
How refreshing is a walk in Tasmania? The clean air, the native birds, the shared moments with others, the mental clarity and… the absence of phone service. Abels Run's Screens to Trails Program, delivered through schools and community partnerships, offers Tasmanian youth a real-world alternative to screen-driven lifestyles. Our workshops and guided outdoor activities help young people deepen their connection to their identity and Tasmania’s natural environment, free from digital distractions. By streamlining policies, we relieve teachers of navigating outdated procedures while supporting the education sector by aligning with academic outcomes. Using top-quality equipment from renowned Australian brand One Planet, we lead groups of up 15 young people on wilderness hikes, focusing on open discussions addressing distress, mental health challenges, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical activity caused by excessive screen use. These accessible, engaging experiences promote emotional and psychological wellbeing, inspiring youth to embrace the outdoors as a healthy alternative to screen time.
Our Screen Smart Sessions are preventive solutions that educate families on recognising and managing the harmful effects of excessive screen time. Through expert-led discussions and interactive activities, we empower parents with evidence from Australian Government research, highlighting links between screen use, reduced physical activity, cyberbullying, increased suicide ideation, and mental health challenges. These sessions equip families with practical tools and a fresh perspective on their children’s screen habits, enabling them to foster healthier lifestyles. Participants may also gain insights into their own screen use, strengthening family-wide wellbeing.
If you're interested in accessing any Abels Run services, please reach out via the contact form.
Our claim that everyday devices harm mental and physical well-being is backed by research. The Australian Government provides guidelines for healthier living and tracks the consequences of non-compliance. Below are the statistics driving Abel's Run’s mission, with links for further reading.
Regular physical activity prevents health conditions like heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, supporting a healthy lifestyle.
Guideline: 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily that raises
heart rate; more is better.
Why this matters.
• In 2022, only 5.6% of young people met physical activity guidelines.
• Heavy media use is linked to reduced physical activity and unhealthy weight gain.
• Over 25% of children lack physical activity due to screen use.
Source: ABS
Physical Activity, RCHM
Poll
Adequate sleep supports appetite regulation, metabolism, mood, and immune, hormonal, and cardiovascular function. Poor sleep impacts quality of life, increases chronic health risks, and affects the economy.
Guideline: Youth aged 14–17 should get 8–10 hours of uninterrupted sleep, with no phone access one hour before bed.
Why this matters.
• A quarter of 12–15-year-olds and half of 16–17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school
nights.
• 43% of children use screen-based devices at bedtime, with 26% experiencing sleep problems.
• Adolescents not meeting sleep guidelines are more likely to show anxiety and depression symptoms
and less likely to report happiness.
• Among 16–17-year-olds with anxiety or depression, nearly 60% fail to meet sleep
guidelines.
• Much greater proportions of adolescents across all age groups who rated themselves as ‘not
happy’ compared to ‘happy’ did not meet the minimum sleep guidelines.
Sources: AIFS
Sleep, RCHM
Poll
Screen time via TVs, e-games, tablets, and smartphones is a regular part of children’s lives. Parents rank excessive screen time as their top health concern for kids.
Guideline: No more than 2 hours of sedentary recreational screen time daily to support healthy development.
Why this matters.
• Screen time increases with age: under 2 years (14.2 hours/week), 2–5 years (25.9 hours/week),
primary school (31.5 hours/week), teenagers (43.6 hours/week).
• Most parents use screens to occupy kids for convenience.
• Parents with high screen use report higher screen use in their children.
• Over half of parents of teenagers and a third of parents of children under 6 set no screen time or
content limits.
• 62% of parents report family conflict due to screen-based devices.
• 94% of teenagers, 67% of primary schoolers, and 36% of preschoolers own mobile screen-based
devices.
• 19% of teenagers experience online bullying.
• Research has found a direct link between Social Media and a rise in depression, anxiety,
self-harm, suicide, and body dysmorphia.
• Research links excessive screen use with disruptions in motor and cognitive development.
• Internal META (Facebook, Instagram) research found their platform "is harmful for a sizeable
percentage of teenagers".
• Whistleblowers of META acknowledged their platforms ability to expose youth to Nudity, Sexual
Advancements, Self-Harm and Suicide.
Source: RCHM
Poll, United
State's Senate
Poll, From
Tool to Plauge
Technology is a powerful tool, but without moderation, it’s become a dangerous force in the lives of Tasmania’s youth. Numerous reports reveal a stark reality: we’re in the grip of a global crisis driven by screen addiction. This isn’t a fleeting trend— it’s a systemic threat to entire generations. Research shows alarming rises in cyberbullying, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among young people, directly linked to excessive screen use. These trends contribute to declining academic performance, reduced employment prospects, and a troubling disconnect from the outdoors, robbing youth of the mental clarity and physical vitality Tasmania’s wilderness can provide.
This crisis demands action, and Abels Run is answering the call. We’re committed to breaking the cycle of screen addiction by offering young Tasmanians alternatives through immersive outdoor experiences. Our programs, like guided bushwalks, nature workshops, and community camps, reconnect youth with Tasmania’s clean air, native wildlife, and iconic peaks. We Additionally support families and schools with preventive education, providing tools to combat technology’s grip and foster balance in a digital world. Our mission is to safeguard the future of our community by prioritising the wellbeing of Tasmania’s youth.
We cannot ignore this wake-up call. Without urgent change, we risk losing a generation to screens and away from the natural wonders that define our island. Join Abels Run in this critical fight to restore health, resilience, and a deep connection to Tasmania’s extraordinary landscapes.
Read more:
• Australian Department of Health and Aged Care – Guidelines: Physical
Activity Guidelines
• Australian Bureau of Statistics – Physical Activity: ABS
Physical Activity [1]
• The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Screen Time and Kids: RCHM
Poll [2]
• Australian Institute of Family Studies – Australian Teens Not Getting Enough Sleep: AIFS Sleep
[3]
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Sleep Problems as a Risk Factor: AIHW
Sleep [4]
• Australian Institute of Family Studies – Screen Time Effects and Guidelines: AIFS Screen Time
[5]
As a Tasmanian-based graphic design company, TypeDesigns has been instrumental in shaping our brand identity and outreach. Tyler Hall, the company's founder, has generously contributed his expertise and creative vision to our cause, helping us establish a strong visual presence that resonates with our mission. We are grateful for his ongoing support and commitment to our shared goal of re-engaging Tasmanian youth with nature.
The Tasmanian Community Fund was established in 1999 following the sale of the Trust Bank. The Fund provides grants to not-for-profit organisations and is administered by an independent board. They are kindly supporting us at Abels Run during our pilot year.
SignNation have been kind enough to support Abels Run when it comes to advertising, and event needs. Established in 2005, they have been uncompromising in working with and helping hundreds of organisations of all sizes feel proud about how they look. Born out of this pure dedication and hard work, Sign Nation is a passionate full service, multi-disciplined and hands on creative team focused on inspired graphic design and implementation including extraordinary sign making and installations.
We would love to have more Tasmanian businesses on board. As a valued sponsor, your company will be prominently featured across our platforms:
We warmly invite your company to engage with our community initiatives:
By supporting us now, your company becomes an integral part of a burgeoning community project driven by passion and a deep love for Tasmania. Our mission primarily involves operational costs after the acquisition of essential foundational gear, making it sustainable and low-risk. We are committed to full transparency regarding the success of our workshops, financial standings, expenditures, and all other aspects of our operations.
