Overview of Our Not-for-Profit Organisation

Away from Keyboard (AFK) Inc. is a registered not-for-profit and charity organisation based in Seymour, Victoria, dedicated to the prevention of online harm, relief of emotional distress from digital harm, and social isolation among vulnerable children, young people, and carers.

We provide direct, trauma-informed support to individuals already experiencing distress, particularly those in regional and rural communities, those living with disability, or facing social and economic disadvantage.

AFK was established to prevent online harm, relieve emotional distress, social isolation, and the harmful impacts of digital environments on vulnerable children, teens, and caregivers. We serve individuals who face serious risks, including online grooming, tech-facilitated abuse, digital exploitation, and mental health decline. Our benevolent programs are designed to respond with compassion, advocacy, and education. 

AFK addresses the psychological and emotional impacts of screen overexposure, online abuse, and technology-facilitated exclusion through safe, inclusive, and community-based programs.

Our face-to-face workshops, support initiatives, and advocacy efforts empower participants to rebuild connection with themselves, their communities, and the world around them away from the screen.

Our mission is to relieve emotional distress and social isolation caused by unsafe or excessive technology use, by delivering trauma-informed support to children, young people, carers, and vulnerable communities. We do this through direct relief, inclusive community programs, face-to-face connection, and digital safety education. 

Our work is focused on prevention of harm online.

. We also are providing direct relief to individuals and families in need, including:

• Children and young people experiencing digital burnout, anxiety, or emotional withdrawal
   
• Carers of neurodivergent children, particularly those managing behavioural challenges linked to screen time and online exposure
   
• Survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and other forms of online abuse
   
• Rural and regional families with limited access to mental health care, digital safety education, or community support services
   
• People living with disability who face heightened isolation and barriers to in-person social connection
   

AFK delivers trauma-informed advocacy for the prevention of digital harm, real-world programs that provide emotional relief and reconnection for those affected by digital distress.

We:

• Run workshops for children and young people experiencing anxiety, burnout, or emotional withdrawal from screen overexposure
   
• Facilitate support circles and skill-building sessions for carers, particularly those supporting neurodivergent children, to help them navigate emotional crises and build resilience
   
• Advocate globally for ethical technology and digital safety, giving voice to vulnerable users through platforms such as the United Nations and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
   
• Create safe, inclusive spaces for all ages to connect offline, helping reduce the psychological impact of isolation, manipulation, and tech overload
   
• Design programs rooted in compassion and equity, reaching those already in distress — not just those at risk
   

Though we are in the founding stages of our journey, our purpose is clear:
To provide direct, trauma-informed relief to those struggling with the emotional and social impacts of an increasingly digital world.

At AFK, we believe relief begins with reconnection.
We're building a future where children, carers, and communities can step away from digital distress — and into belonging, joy, and real-life adventure.

Let’s go AFK — and rediscover what it means to be truly connected.

AFK Inc. is a mission-led, not-for-profit association and registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and applying for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Our purpose is to  prevent harm through education, advocacy, and capacity-building programs that support safer, healthier relationships with technology.