Ep. 15: Social Media and Youth Mental Health

According to the Pew Research Center , up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 report using a social media platform, with more than one-third (35%) indicating they use social media “almost constantly.” U. S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy — who has already raised the alarm on the youth mental health crisis in the U.S. — released an evidence-based advisory in May 2023. In it, he cited the dangers of social media and how content on these platforms, as well as the algorithms they use, target children and youth likely serving to exacerbate our nation’s youth mental health crisis. Monica Barreto, PhD , is here to help us better understand this advisory and how social media affects the children she sees in her practice. Dr. Barreto is the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health for Nemours Children’s Health, Florida. Carol Vassar, producer/host Read the Surgeon General's advisory Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or management. Subscribe, review or let your voice be heard at NemoursWellBeyond.org .