I never dreamed I would be posting this news and it hurts to even type these words on my keyboard. Collin Kartchner passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on October 20, 2020.
If you don’t know who Collin Kartchner is, he was the greatest advocate for your children that you didn’t know.
If you have teenagers, they more than likely did know who he was. Whether for his relatable and powerful school assemblies, or the fact that he would gift Air Jordans, Kartchner was a favorite among the youth.
Kartchner was a youth advocate, a TEDx speaker, and social media activist who used the hashtag #SavetheKids to spread awareness of the harms of social media on our kids today.
On an Instagram post dated October 21, 2020, his wife Lizzy announced that he passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his family. The cause of death at the time of posting this article is unknown.
According to his website, in 2017 Kartchner started a popular parody Instagram account simply to make fun of social media and the culture of toxic perfectionism it has created. Instead of using his platform and large following to earn paid sponsor posts or ad dollars, he used his account to do good.
It’s interesting to note that Kartchner only followed two people on Instagram: Rusell M. Nelson and his wife Lizzy. He practiced what he preached by living life instead of watching others live it.
In April 2018, Kartchner started a campaign to #SavetheKids from social media and screen addiction’s negative affect on their mental and emotional health. His message has resonated with the masses, as he has since spoke to 500,000+ youth and adults across the country with a speaking schedule now booked out 12-18 months.
Kartchner’s TEDx speech in Salt Lake City in 2018 made waves around the internet as it help parents see the crushing impact that smartphones are having on parents and youth alike.
Kartchner’s site states he was on a crusade to help educate parents on the damage social media and 24/7 access to peer culture will have on their child’s mental health.
His goal was to help teens rise above social media comparison, negativity, cyber bullying, and the stress of being perfect.
Every day Collin would 100’s of message from teens sharing how social media is hurting their mental health, and how his message changed or even saved their lives.
His #SavetheKids Parent Awareness Nights were also a huge success, empowering parents to stop fighting their teen’s phone use and start fighting FOR their teen. These events were usually standing room only.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said it best when he called Kartchner “a WARRIOR for our children.”
A GoFundMe account was set up for the Kartchner family as without a life insurance policy and their champion, Collin, they are facing a lot of unknowns.
The Collin Kartchner Memorial Fund was organized by Emily Frame and hopes to raise funds for the family needs. On the page it states:
“If you know Collin, you know about his larger than life heart. He spent every day of his 40 years on this earth giving to those around him.
Caring for strangers, quietly serving. Giving the shirt off his back and the Jordans off his feet. You likely heard his moving message to #savethekids and #savetheparents, encouraging us to put our phones down and go live a beautiful life.
He shared this message 500 times a year all over the country.
On October 20, 2020 he suddenly passed away surrounded by his family. We are shattered, and he leaves behind his beautiful wife Elizabeth, their four amazing kids: Avery, Quincey, Lola and Myles (and their dogs Tuque and Winston Bishop, too).
They were his world and he was theirs. The hole he left in our family will never be filled, and we know he touched hundreds of thousands of you, too.
Collin had big dreams for this world, and his family, and we have been inundated with love and support, wondering what can be done to help. We’ve created this fundraiser to help ensure that his family can continue living a beautiful life. That although he might not be here to take them fishing, or to the beach, or sing them songs to help them fall asleep at night, we will be the hands to lift them up. We know we and his community will give back, since he gave us all so much.
Credit katrinadasilvafineart on Instagram
Collin encouraged Liz to go back to school to get her Master’s, and without a life insurance policy and their champion Collin, they are facing a lot of unknowns. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for any contributions. We ask for privacy for the family in this trying time.
If you’d prefer to Venmo you can send directly to his wife @Elizabeth-Kartchner. Cards and condolences can be sent to PO Box 921 Pleasant Grove, UT 84062.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kartchner family. We hope they feel the loving arms of God wrapped around them at this devastatingly difficult time.
Charlotte
Thursday 22nd of October 2020
I am sorry to hear this news for his family’s sake. I pray they will be blessed as Collin begins his special work on the other side of the veil. What an amazing man he was in such a short mortal life.
Don
Thursday 22nd of October 2020
Reading this article was the first time being aware of Collin. He made a tremendous to the world, accomplishing far more in his 40 years than most do in a lifetime. He was taken far too early. My condolences to his wife, children and beloved pets. Why did this happen?? We will never know for sure but do know that the Lord called Home one of his best.