APA called on policymakers to increase research and education about the positive and negative impacts of social media on children through a carefully calibrated webinar that shared important policy implications through the lens of science.
APA’s chief science officer, Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP, shared an update on the state of the research into social media and mental health of children. The full recording of the webinaropens in new window (Youtube, 29 minutes) is available online. The webinar focused on several aspects of the research, including discussions on seven specific topics.
- Positive features of social media use.
- How you use tech/social media behavior may be associated with mental health difficulties.
- Who may be most susceptible to potentially negative effects of tech/social media on mental health?
- How might tech/social media promote maladaptive behavior?
- Are teens more influenced by peers online?
- What are teens not doing when using technology?
- Do social media cues affect brain development?
This webinar is part of a broader effort by APA Services to mitigate the negative impact of social media. Previously, APA Services guided key senators in the drafting and introduction of S.3663, the Kids Online Safety Act, sponsored by Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn. The bill would place additional responsibilities on social media companies to mitigate harms to minors resulting from use of their platform. It would also require additional data transparency and fund research to help inform future reforms.
For more information, contact Corbin Evans.