On August 20, 2024, NSCA Member Candice Odgers joined other researchers in a roundtable discussion focused on what the research says about the perils and promise of social media for youth and adolescents. This conversation was a part of the Child Mind Institute’s webinar series on Technology and Youth Mental Health, which asks how tech might be used to improve mental health outcomes for all young people. Watch the recording or read more about the event below.
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In this webinar, hosted with Spring Point Partners, NSCA member Candice Odgers explored the real risks and benefits of digital technology use during adolescence, and discussed how we can support young people to develop the skills they need to successfully navigate new and existing technology throughout their lives.
NSCA member Candice Odgers was quoted in a New York Times article about the new screen time warning issued by the Surgeon General. Although the warning linked excessive time online to worse sleep issues, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and other health harms, experts say the research is more nuanced. “Much of the existing research does not suggest that social media use is a major predictor of whether a child will develop mental health issues,” said Candice. Rather, she said, “it suggests that children who are already struggling with mental health or other issues are more likely to spend time online.”
