Social Media, Screen Time
& Youth Wellbeing
Explore what is known and what is unknown about how social media impacts youth mental health and wellbeing. Hear about the risks – such as comparison culture, overuse, and cyberbullying – as well as the benefits – including broadened social networks, peer connections, and platforms for making mental health resources more accessible. Learn how caring adults, communal organizations and programs can support young people in navigating social media use and creating healthy boundaries.
September Resiliency Roundtable
September 21, 2023
2:00 - 3:30pm EST
Zoom - Click Here to Register for Link
The Resiliency Roundtable is a virtual, North American network dedicated to promoting youth wellbeing in the Jewish community. The Resiliency Roundtable brings together diverse stakeholders who care about young people (ages 12-26), including educators, engagement professionals, and clinicians, for learning on important topics impacting youth mental health. To access resources from our previous gatherings, go to the Resiliency Roundtable tab of the BeWell website: jewishtogether.org/bewell. Please be in touch with Kate Greene, Director of the Resiliency Roundtable, with any questions or suggestions: kate.greene@jewishfederations.org.
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach a trained counselor within the lifeline network. This communication is confidential and free.
Does Social Media Support or Worsen Mental Well-Being? Well, It Depends – Munmun De Choudhury, Ph.D.
Growing up in Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World – Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.
Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World – Ana Homayoun
Highlights from the Research: Potential Risks and Benefits of Social Media on Youth Mental Health – Munmun De Choudhury, Ph.D.
Guidance for the Start of the School Year: Navigating Pressures of the Digital World – Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.
Tips for Safety & Wellness: Healthy Socialization and Effective Self-Regulation – Ana Homayoun
We invite you to explore the materials below to help contextualize our conversation.
Video Clip
NBC News NOW special: How social media is impacting mental health among teens (March 2023)
Article & Podcast
McKinsey: The role of social media and tech in Gen Z’s mental health (June 2023)
Article
Everyday Health: Under Pressure: Are the Stresses of Social Media Too Much for Teens and Young Adults? (September 2021)
Findings & Recommendations
Ana Homayoun is a keynote speaker, academic advisor and early career development expert. She is the founder of Silicon Valley based Green Ivy Educational Consulting, and focuses on helping students develop executive functioning skills in today’s technology and social media world, and on helping workplaces better manage and support GenZ and millennial staff members for retention and growth. She is the author of four books, including That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week, The Myth of the Perfect Girl, and Social Media Wellness. Her latest book, ERASING THE FINISH LINE: The New Blueprint For Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, was released in August 2023. Learn more about her work at www.anahomayoun.com.
Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Substack and on Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.
Munmun De Choudhury is an Associate Professor of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech where she directs the Social Dynamics and Well-Being Lab. Dr. De Choudhury is best known for laying the foundation of a new line of research that develops computational techniques towards understanding and improving mental health outcomes, through ethical analysis of social media data. Dr. De Choudhury serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society for Computational Social Science. She is also an appointed member of a committee by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that is examining research on the impact of social media on the wellbeing of young people, and has contributed to the Office of U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on The Healing Effects of Social Connection.
The Resiliency Roundtable is a virtual, North American network dedicated to promoting youth wellbeing in the Jewish community. The Resiliency Roundtable brings together diverse stakeholders across the Jewish communal landscape who care about young people (ages 12-26) for learning on important topics impacting youth wellbeing.
Interested in connecting more deeply with Resiliency Roundtable professionals? Fill out this form to join a Resiliency Roundtable Connection Space!
We are excited to see this dynamic community grow! Connect your colleagues to us by sharing our Resiliency Roundtable interest form. Reach out to Kate Greene, BeWell's Resiliency Roundtable Director, with any questions or suggestions: kate.greene@jewishfederations.org.
We offer low and no-cost virtual and in-person courses for adults, young adults, and teens. Learn to identify and support those who are struggling, and promote wellbeing. Submit a request form or contact Beth Lipschutz, BeWell Wellness Educator, directly at beth.lipschutz@jewishfederations.org to learn more.
Clinicians can connect with a community of practice and trainings on evidence-based modalities to support youth, offered by the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. Contact Tricia Stern, Senior Vice President of Clinical Practice at tstern@networkjhsa.org.
