Although the near ubiquity of social media in modern society has raised important questions about its potentially detrimental impacts on youth, discussions often center on its individual effects and risks and prioritize adult perspectives over young people's lived experience. Social Media and Youth Mental Health takes a broader, multi-generational perspective, examining the influence of social media on children and young people from a population health standpoint.
This guide delves into diverse aspects of social media as they pertain to youth mental health, including representations of sexuality, online bullying, privacy concerns, and the effect of media multitasking on developing brains. It also explores the potential positive role of social media in clinical settings, such as for disseminating content in clinical practice or as a component of digital interventions.
Most importantly, Social Media and Youth Mental Health incorporates the voices and perspectives of children and adolescents-often excluded from public discourse-throughout the book, grounding it in their lived experience of media. It provides a foundation for policymakers, industry leaders, and mental health professionals to prioritize innovation, policies, and designs in support of youth mental health.
