Welcome to the Social Media and Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal! Here you can read our featured Q&A Portal questions, view available resources to help build healthier digital habits and browse our library of previously submitted questions and responses to learn more about other topics. 

Not finding what you're looking for? Feel free to submit your own question to our Center of Excellence team. Your question will receive an evidence-based response from our expert team and be added to our Q&A Portal library. 

Featured Questions

Read our featured Q&A Portal questions and responses

Impact of Social Media on Youth

Question: What impacts has social media had on youth? Both positive and negative. What can we do to reduce negative impacts?

Answer: First, when we are talking about “social media,” remember that it is not one-size-fits-all! Social media platforms differ in their design; whether you’re looking to share pictures from your daily life, chat in groups, or participate in trending videos, each platform offers a unique experience. Read the rest of this answer here

Social Media & Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal

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July 19, 2024

Managing Content on Social Media Feeds

Question: What are some ways for youth to control what they see on social media? (algorithm, settings, etc.)

Answer: Sometimes the content in our social media feeds can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially when you see content that is upsetting, scary, gross, or unwanted. Since each platform has different settings and controls, it can feel daunting to try to manage it all. Read the rest of this answer here.

Social Media & Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal

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July 19, 2024

Impact of Limiting Time Spent on Social Media

Question: What is the impact of limiting time spent on social media? There is, understandably, the idea that limiting social media is good in order to keep a child safe, however, is it possible that by restricting their use it could create a craving for more? Kind of like a "don't press the red button" kind of way? 

Answer: Much of today’s current media coverage about social media (in 2023 and now into early 2024) is that it’s not good for your mental health. While this media narrative is not entirely accurate, it has made some parents feel guilty or fearful, triggering an instinctive need to intervene. Read the rest of this answer here

Social Media & Youth Mental Health Q&A Portal

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February 22, 2024

Browse our Q&A Portal Library

Browse our library of all previously submitted questions here. Check back often as we add new questions regularly.

View Q&A Portal Library

Submit a New Question

Don't see what you are looking for? Submit your own question below. Your answer will then be added to the Q&A Portal library to help others with similar questions.

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Youth Advisory Panel

Learn about the CoE Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) and read advice they have for policymakers and members of the tech industry.

About the YAP
Learn about our Youth Advisory Panel and how their efforts inform the work of the CoE.
YAP Advice for Policymakers
Read what the YAP has to say about creating programs, policies, and regulation.
YAP Advice for the Tech Industry
Read what the YAP has to say about social media platform design.

Tools & Resources

Use these resources to help develop healthy digital habits

Building Healthy Digital Habits Printable

When it comes to building healthy digital habits, you may not know where to start. Here are some research-based tips from pediatricians that can make a big difference. Also available in Spanish.

AAP Family Media Plan

Media is everywhere and managing it all can be tough. Use the AAP Family Media Plan to help you set media priorities that matter most to you. The tool can be used as an app too! 

Multimedia Resources for Teens

4 Social Media Tips for Teens
Is social media good or bad for your mental health? It can be both! Create a healthy balance of time online by trying these four things.
Social Media & Mental Health: Tips for Teens
In this webinar, we explain the potential risks and benefits of social media use to your mental health and discuss resources and strategies to support healthy social media habits.

 

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

07/19/2024

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics