Social Media, Teens and Mental Health

Social media is a uniquely connective, enjoyable and likely dangerous normative aspect of adolescent development. While it can lead to connection, it can also lead to mental health concerns and bullying. Trends and patterns of social media use in teens will be presented to understand the current climate of screen time. Indications for parental monitoring and implications of restrictions on use reviewed. How and why professionals can and should do a digital check-in will be covered. Resources such as a family media plan are introduced and reviewed in order to hold teens and their families accountable to online health and safety.

• How and why to do a digital check in

• Indications for care based on the 2023 Surgeon General’s recommendations

• How to help teens build upon their own awareness to care better for themselves

Dr. Joshua Stein, a 2024 Minneapolis Magazine Rising Star Physician, is the clinical director at the PrairieCare Brooklyn Park Partial Hospital Program (PHP) practicing as a general and child adolescent psychiatrist. As part of the award-winning Psychiatric Assistance Line, providing psychiatric education and support to primary care physicians throughout the state to expand access to psychiatric resources. He is a dynamic speaker, covering topics including ADHD, psychotropic interventions and suicide awareness & prevention. In addition, he is the former president of the Minnesota Society for Child Adolescent Psychiatry and a local and national advocate for children’s mental health needs. ​

MN Board of Social Work

2.0 CEUs