Screens and Wellbeing: Tech’s Role in Back – to -School Mental Health

Back-to-school season marks a huge transition for many children and teens, including the introduction of new technologies both at school and at home. Additionally, as we continue to navigate the youth mental health crisis, a new school year can seem more stressful than ever. What role does tech play in youth mental health? As schools become more and more integrated with digital devices, will young peoples’ mental health be affected? What role can tech play in strengthening your child’s mental health? What online safety measures can we take to make sure young people have a safe, successful and mentally healthy school year?

Our panelists answered these questions and more on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 during a discussion between our moderator Alanna Powers, and mental health/tech professionals Dr. Shairi Turner, Patricia Noel, Nicole Owings-Fonner and Claudia-Santi F. Fernandes followed by a conversation between Lindsay Fleming, LPC, and teens directly affected by these issues.

Resources shared in this conversation:

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

What Do Young People in Crisis Need From Their Communities?

School Refusal & Anxiety in Children and Teenagers

Born This Way Foundation

Be There Certificate

Be There Certificate One-Pager

Channel Kindness

Discord Teen Charter

Discord Parent Hub

AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health

Conversation Starters for Families About Media

Building Healthy Relationships with Media: Essential Skills for Children 10 and Younger

The 5 Cs of Media Use

Managing Content on Social Media Feeds

Family Online Safety Institute

Parents: Your Mental Health Matters, Too

Safety Cards for your Devices

AAP CoE Youth Advisory Panel

Snapchat Youth Council for Digital Well-Being

The Teenage Handbook