Highlights from the 2026 Virtual Youth Forum

Discover how the AAP April 2026 Virtual Youth Forum united teens and young adults (ages 14–19) and empowered them to navigate the digital world with confidence, engage in meaningful conversations with peers and experts and gain practical tools for managing their digital lives. 

 

On April 18, 2026, the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health hosted its 2nd annual Virtual Youth Forum. Bringing together 90 participants from across the United States, this fun, interactive virtual event focused on how social media shapes teens’ mental health and daily lives. The forum created a welcoming space for youth to share experiences, learn practical strategies for digital well-being, and connect with peers and experts. 

Post-Event Survey Highlights

 

A voluntary post-event survey was shared with attendees following the forum. Overall, responses suggested the event was well received and left participants feeling more informed and better equipped to support their digital well-being. 

  • Positive experience: Participants shared that they enjoyed the webinar and found the content engaging and relevant. 
  • Increased knowledge: Teens reported leaving with a stronger understanding of what a healthy relationship with social media can look like. 
  • Greater confidence: Respondents indicated they felt more confident finding and using tools and strategies to support their mental health online. 
  • Useful resources: The tools and resources shared during the forum were described as practical and helpful. 
  • Intent to apply learning: Participants expressed interest in using what they learned in their own social media use and sharing strategies with others. 

When asked how they plan to use what they learned, respondents most often mentioned applying strategies to their own social media habits and sharing tools and information with friends, peers, and others in their communities. 

What We Heard from Youth 

Throughout the event, teens stayed engaged and supported one another in the chat. They even chose a “word of the day” to describe their relationship with social media: complicated. 

This word cloud shows various words teens used to describe their feelings about social media and mental health. 

  • Engaging and relevant: Youth shared that the event content felt engaging, relatable, and relevant to their day-to-day experiences online. 
  • Clear and impactful delivery: Participants noted that presenters communicated in a clear, easy-to-follow way and shared information that felt meaningful and useful. 
  • Ideas to improve future forums: Youth suggested shortening or condensing parts of the event, creating more opportunities for teens to speak, and adding more interactive small-group discussion. Some also asked for more real-world examples or case studies. 
  • Topics youth want next: Suggested topics included communicating with adults; how social media affects relationships and friendships; culture and comparison (including academics); and how social media can shape identity and comparison, including specific impacts on girls. 

A majority of teens surveyed (41%) indicated that putting their phone down before bed was the hardest boundary to set when it comes to their social media use.

Thank You 

Thank you to the Youth Advisory Panel members, speakers, panelists, and every young person who showed up ready to learn, share, and support one another. We’ll use what we heard to shape future youth-centered events and resources focused on healthier digital spaces. 

Virtual Youth Forum Event Recap

Information about the CoE

Navigating Social Media: A Teen Wellness Toolkit
Created for teens, our toolkit is designed to help youth navigate social media and mental health. It features tip sheets, a ready-to-use presentation, and tools to help teens share their perspectives and start meaningful conversations with peers, families, and communities.
Join our AAP Youth Mailing List
Are you a teen or young adult? Join our mailing list to receive updates about opportunities to share your perspective and collaborate with the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.
Meet the CoE Youth Advisory Panel
Involving youth in the discussions and solutions around social media and youth mental health is a key aspect of the work that we do. The CoE Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) is made up of 25 youth, ages 14 to 19, from across the country. Their input informs how the CoE creates messages, resources, and tools that are useful for teens and for parents, teachers, clinicians, and others. By working closely with the YAP, the CoE ensures that our activities and resources are centered around what youth need and want.
Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
The Virtual Youth Forum is an event hosted by the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health (CoE). The CoE, a subset of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), is a trusted resource for evidence-based education and support to promote children’s and teens’ mental well-being in the digital age. By providing guidance and resources, the Center helps young people, caregivers, and professionals navigate social media in a way that fosters healthy relationships, development, and a positive online experience.

 

 

Funding for the Center of Excellence was made possible by Grant No. SM087180 from SAMHSA of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, SAMHSA/HHS or the US Government.

Last Updated

07/12/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics