Social Media and Youth Mental Health Resources for Clinicians

Question: I’ve heard that sextortion is more common than previously realized. Do you have any educational information or any resources for clinicians or parents? 

Answer: This is certainly an important topic. Sextortion is threatening to expose sexually explicit images of a person if they refuse demands for more images, money, or other items/actions. While seemingly similar, sextortion should not be confused with other forms of online sexual exploitation including revenge porn. Read the rest of this answer here.

Question: Should youth discharged from residential care be allowed to stay in contact with the caregivers/clinicians/staff/providers from the facility with whom they have built a trusting relationship and consider supportive adults via social media?

Answer: There are two perspectives to consider in this important question. The first is the patient’s. The second is the provider perspective, and how providers can best navigate online and social media relationships with clients or patients. Read the rest of this answer here. 

Question: I am a pediatrician in Seattle, WA and most of my patients are Spanish speaking. Many also live under the federal poverty line. Because of challenges these families face, I often encounter situations in the clinic where even children under 2 are routinely exposed to screens since reliable hands-on childcare is not always possible. Do you have any guidance I can share with these families about how to find higher quality content for Spanish language shows or apps, and also how to help them balance screen time with other activities when possible?  

Answer: It’s important to think about the reasons why families might use media to keep children occupied. In low-income Hispanic families, as well as other underrepresented communities, households are more likely to be multigenerational and caregivers may have more than one job or may have physical limitations to play. Read the rest of this answer here.