The Jed Foundation (JED)’s Post

While teens' social media use can be a tricky topic to address in clinical practices, Dr. Jenny Radesky, co-medical director of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, shares that pediatricians have an important opportunity to shift the conversation and clinical guidance with these tips: ✔️ Change the conversation by acknowledging that this can be a tough topic to discuss and that it’s important to understand each other’s experiences. ✔️ Support the child’s/adolescent’s agency. Asking what patients find inspiring, funny, toxic or overwhelming about social media and involving them in problem-solving will support self-directed behavior change. ✔️ Encourage critical thinking about digital design. Help parents and teens understand that tailored feeds not only keep them watching longer, but also help platforms get to “know” them better by building a marketing profile of their interests. ✔️ Consider the whole family when sharing advise about building healthy digital habits. Encourage parents to model the behaviors they want to see in their kids. ✔️ Start the conversation early as an investment in long-term healthy relationships with emotions and technology. Read more in AAP News: https://lnkd.in/eDUmhkvJ

While the media reports yesterday about many teens using social media “constantly” raise concerns, there are two hopeful factors: 1. Many adults are also online constantly, both for work and personal reasons. We have the opportunity to model responsible and safe behavior online. Just telling a kid to “stop watching YouTube so much” (while simultaneously texting someone) will come across as hypocritical. 2. Health professionals are starting to bring up social media use during visits with patients. Talking about the issue openly is the first step to improve the situation. For more information on this topic from the AAP, see: https://lnkd.in/eht7uE-v

How do we translate an understanding of the system driving obesity-related behaviours in adolescents into actions that foster systems changes in practice?   Our latest study highlights how we used a previously obtained system understanding to pinpoint leverage points and formulate actions aimed at specific system goals and paradigm levels. Our approach underscores the distinction between a system dynamics action programme and traditional public health interventions, emphasizing the description of actions in terms of their theories of change and function. Check out the full paper for more insights! #SystemDynamics #SystemsThinking #SystemsChange #PublicHealth #Obesity #AdolescentHealth #TheLIKEprogramme https://rdcu.be/dz7tE

📢 Important Discussion: Surgeon General Calls for Social Media Warning Labels to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis 📢 U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has recently called upon US Congress to address the mental health crisis among youth by implementing a Surgeon General’s warning label on social media platforms. This initiative aims to highlight the significant mental health risks associated with social media use for adolescents. 🗣️ "It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents," Murthy wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times. Key Points: 🔹 Awareness & Behavior Change: Similar to tobacco warnings, these labels could increase awareness and potentially influence how social media is used. 🔹Parental Involvement: A recent survey found that 76% of Latino parents would limit or monitor their children’s social media use if such a warning were issued. 🔹Mental Health Concerns: Adolescents spending over three hours daily on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression, with nearly half reporting negative impacts on their body image. Murthy also advocates for: 🔸 Legislation to shield kids from harmful content and prevent the collection of sensitive data. 🔸Independent safety audits for social media platforms. 🔸Phone-free environments in schools and at home. "We have the expertise, resources, and tools to make social media safe for our kids," Murthy stated. "Now is the time to summon the will to act. Our children’s well-being is at stake." Your Thoughts? 💭 As professionals and community members, what are your views on this proposal? Do you believe a warning label on social media could make a difference? How else can we protect our youth's mental health in the digital age? Let's discuss! #MentalHealth #YouthWellbeing #SocialMedia #SurgeonGeneral #DigitalSafety #LinkedInCommunity #ForOurKids

Calling teenagers, 14 – 17 years old all over the world! Are you creative and curious about understanding your whole health – body, spirit and heart? Here's an exciting opportunity for you! 4 Youth by Youth is inviting 14 to 17 years old to participate in a storytelling contest on their Whole Person Health. The contest question is 📌 : Using stories, poems, and artwork, tell us: how might you, as a young person, take care of your health in every way: mind, body, and heart. We believe storytelling about one’s Whole Person Health can empower adolescents and young adults to clarify confusing health experiences, adopt preventive health strategies, and communicate their own health solutions. As an adolescent 14 to 17 years old, you have the opportunity to share your story on how you stay healthy, happy, and vibrant as a young person. Submit your responses to our contest question by April 20th, 2024. This is your chance to showcase your creativity, curiosity and commitment to advancing adolescent and young adults’ health globally. Let Your Story Inspire Change! Share Your Whole Person Health Journey Today! Submit here:  https://bit.ly/3OWZYYS. Learn more about the contest and Whole Person Health here: https://lnkd.in/dcfCQ6xG Key Details Who Can Participate: 14 to 17 years old worldwide Submission Deadline: April 20th, 2024. Join us in this important endeavor! Together, we can pave the way for a healthier, brighter future for adolescents and young adults. #WholePersonHealth #Youthhealth #Innovation #

"I saw the ways in which children were being overlooked, marginalized, and relegated to the notion of being “seen and not heard”. And as a mom-of-two, I knew that I couldn’t just sit by and watch. I had to do something." It was an honor to share the story of how Kurt Roots and I founded Bend Health with the The Tech Tribune. Check out my full interview with them here: https://lnkd.in/gFCjZS52 #femalefounder #mentalhealth #healthcareonlinkedin #healthcareleader #healthcarestartup

Office for Disparities Research and Workforce Diversity Webinar Series: Engaging Community Stakeholders to Reduce Mental Health Inequities in the Hispanic Community This webinar will explore the significance of involving community stakeholders in developing culturally responsive interventions, the need for implementation science to improve health care uptake in the Hispanic community, and the importance of bridging the gap between implementation science and health disparities research to reduce health inequities.

Do you find yourself or your kids spending 4+ hours on a phone screen? How can we "safety-proof our family's brains from digital dangers to cognitive-emotional health?" Read this short article to find out more! https://lnkd.in/gjbiFEZB

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has issued a critical call to action, urging for health warnings on social media platforms to protect younger users from mental health risks. Citing the mental health crisis among adolescents as an emergency, Murthy emphasized the urgent need for Congress to mandate warning labels similar to those on cigarette packs. Murthy drew parallels between the dangers of social media and other public health threats like tobacco and unsafe vehicles, arguing that the pervasive use of social media by adolescents—often exceeding three hours daily—correlates with higher rates of depression and anxiety. He highlighted studies, including one from JAMA Psychiatry, revealing that excessive social media use doubles the likelihood of mental health issues in teens. The Surgeon General's proposal includes comprehensive measures beyond warning labels. He called for stringent legislation to safeguard young users, enforce age restrictions, and ensure social media companies share data on their platforms' health impacts. Murthy also advocated for societal involvement, recommending phone-free school environments and household routines to mitigate excessive use. This push comes amid legislative efforts like the Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to impose stricter safety standards on social media companies. With bipartisan support and endorsements from influential senators, the act appears poised to advance in Congress. Murthy’s call resonates with recent guidance from the American Psychological Association, which warned against the mental health risks of features like "like" buttons and recommended limits on social media usage for developing brains. The APA urged parents to actively supervise their children's online activity and promote healthy usage habits. As the mental health of the nation’s youth hangs in the balance, Murthy’s urgent appeal for health warnings on social media platforms highlights a critical step toward protecting young minds from the potential harms of the digital age. #mentalhealth #youthmentalhealth #socialmediasafety #digitalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #parentingtips

🚨The Surgeon General's recent call for warning labels on social media platforms echoes long-standing parental concerns about the mental health crisis among children. Unfortunately, tech giants will likely continue to evade accountability, prioritizing profit over the well-being of young users. Today's youth are engulfed by violent, senseless video games and addictive social media. Ongoing investment, financial support, and promotion of these damaging platforms only intensify the problem 🚫 We must guide the younger generation to develop compassion, kindness, and moral fortitude. While academic achievements and formal education are vital, it is equally important to nurture empathy, strong values, and ethical principles from an early age to shape a better future for our world. 🌍✨ #MentalHealthCrisis #BigTechResponsibility #ProtectOurKids #GlobalEpidemic #ParentalConcerns #HumanityFirst #MoonheartEntertainment