On November 14, 2024, Brown University and the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute held a day-long conference, Social Media and Children's Mental Health at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This convening brought together youth, parents, clinicians, educators and policymakers to share strategies and solutions to address the mental health of children and youth in the digital age.
On November 14, 2024, Brown University and the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute held a day-long conference, Social Media and Children's Mental Health at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This convening brought together youth, parents, clinicians, educators and policymakers to share strategies and solutions to address the mental health of children and youth in the digital age.
November 14, 2024
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
National Press Club
13th Floor
529 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20045
Policy | Mental Health | Youth Perspectives | Parenting | Wellness | Online Community | Depression | Algorithms | Social Relationships | Education & Learning | Public Health
The complex relationship between social media use and children’s mental health requires a multidisciplinary, solutions-oriented approach. While there are many groups in the United States working to better understand, and act upon, the effects of social media on the developing brain and children’s mental health, the primary limitation of many of these individual efforts is their ‘either/or’ approach, which leads to a restricted focus on either child and family behaviors around social media use or technical aspects of social media platforms that warrant regulation. What is urgently needed is meaningful integration of these perspectives.
The overall aim of this convening was to foster collaboration across sectors and identify opportunities for shared action to improve children’s mental health in the digital age – including innovative research strategies that focus on outcomes that matter to families and ultimately allow us to test the effectiveness of mental health promotion approaches.
Experience the keynotes, panel discussions and policymaker talks from this event.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
8:00 - 8:30 | Check in and Breakfast |
8:30-8:45 | Welcome and Introductory RemarksDr. Caroline Kistin, Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute |
8:45-9:00 | Opening Remarks and Introduction of KeynoteDr. Jenny Radesky, Co-Director American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health |
9:00-9:40 | KeynoteJessica Grose, Opinion Writer, The New York Times |
9:45-10:40 | Panel 1: Youth Panel Youth Perspectives on Mental Health, Wellness and the Supportive and Detrimental Aspects of Social MediaModerator: Dr. Esa Davis, University of Maryland School of Medicine |
10:45-11:15 | Demonstration Youth Experience with Social Media Algorithms and ManagementIntroduction: Elizabeth Burke Bryant, J.D., Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute |
11:20-12:00 | Panel 2: Parent Panel Parenting in the Age of Digital Media: Common Challenges, Strategies, and Recommendations for ChangeModerator: Dr. Andrea Spencer, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine |
12:00 | Lunch (to eat during policymaker talks) |
12:15-1:05 | Lunchtime talks: Policymakers Policy Aims and Approaches to Social Media RegulationModerator: Dr. Ashish K. Jha |
1:05-1:10 | Break |
1:10-1:25 | Innovative Approaches to Tech/Life Balance: Helping Families Thrive in a |
1:30-2:15 | Panel 3: Educator/Teacher Panel Device Use and Impact of Social Media in the Educational SettingModerator: Arianna Prothero, (Education Week) |
2:15-2:30 | Break |
2:30-2:40 | SpeakerSonia Chessen, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration |
2:45-3:30 | Panel: Research Opportunities and Approaches in a Rapidly Changing LandscapeModerator: Dr. Claire Wardle, Cornell University |
3:30-4:15 | Moderated Discussion Next Steps and Collaboration Across Sectors to Address Outcomes Important to Children and FamiliesModerator: Dr. Nakela Cook, Executive Director Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute |
4:15-4:45 | Summary and Closing RemarksDr. Caroline Kistin, Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute |
Thank you to the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, funded by the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration, for their thoughtful leadership in planning this event and partnering to create community-informed solutions.