Social Media and Youth Wellbeing: Updates from the AAP Center of Excellence

Chair(s)

• 

  Nicole Owings-Fonner, MA, PMP (she/her/hers)

  Director, Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
  American Academy of Pediatrics, United States

Session

Description: In the midst of the U.S. youth mental health crisis, questions are being raised about the role of social media and technology in worsening - or supporting – children’s and adolescents’ emotional experiences, relationships, and identity development. In 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the American Academy of Pediatrics a $10 million, 5-year grant to serve as a resource center for youth, caregivers, and community members who support children. This hot topic symposium will first review the work being done by the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health to 1) critically review current evidence on social media and youth wellbeing, 2) reframe the often-polarized and fear-based debate about social media and kids, 3) provide strengths-focused, evidence-based support to parents and professionals. Second, the Center’s co-Medical Directors Radesky and Moreno will provide reviews of novel research evidence on this topic, grounded within developmental, behavioral, relational, adolescent health, and health equity theoretical frameworks and clinical knowledge. Throughout the presentations, solutions will be discussed that go beyond media use recommendations, including the roles of schools, mental health professionals, policymakers, and technology companies. Ample Q&A time will be allowed for in-depth discussion of this rapidly evolving topic, which will inform the future work of the Center.

Presentations:

• 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM ET

  An introduction to the AAP Center of Excellence: Supporting clinicians, educators, youth, and families.
  

  Speaker: Nicole Owings-Fonner, MA, PMP (she/her/hers) – American Academy of Pediatrics
• 4:00 PM – 4:25 PM ET

  Media and children 0-10 years: How digital platform design and child developmental-behavioral principles interact.
  

  Speaker: Jenny Radesky, MD – University of Michigan Medical School
• 4:25 PM – 4:50 PM ET

  Media use among adolescents: The roles of identity, family context, and individual differences
  

  Speaker: Megan A. Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH (she/her/hers) – University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health