Social media and mental health in adolescence

Social media and mental health in adolescence - Conclusions

Duration: 3 mins Publication Date: 28 Jun 2023 Next Review Date: 28 Jun 2026 DOI: 10.13056/acamh.13703

Description

This talk is the third in a three-part series where Dr. Magis Weinberg explores the intricate relationship between social media and adolescent mental health. In this final session, she highlights why measuring screen time alone is insufficient for understanding digital experiences, emphasizing the need to examine content, context, and engagement patterns. She also discusses the global digital divide, stressing the lack of research on majority-world youth and the need for equitable access to online opportunities. Finally, she calls for improved digital literacy, scaffolding from families and schools, and stronger regulation of tech companies to ensure safer online environments for young people.

Learning Objectives

A. To understand why screen time alone is not a sufficient measure of social media’s impact.
B. To explore how adolescents’ online activities shift rapidly and involve diverse content.
C. To discuss the lack of research on majority-world youth and its consequences.