Social Media and Mental Health: Impacts and Implications for Clinical Practice

Social media platforms are now used by billions of people worldwide. Although these platforms are suggested as opportunities for entertainment and social connection, numerous studies provide strong evidence that social media use can increase feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and isolation. Particularly for adolescents, social media platforms can carry serious risks, such as cyberbullying, suicide, self-harm, sexualization, disrupted identity development, and impaired relationship formation. This session will explore the impact of social media platforms on mental health and suggest practical approaches for how clinicians can approach this topic with patients.

Learning Objectives:
● Examine features of social media platforms
● Discuss the potential impact of these features on mental health
● Assess how clinicians can intervene to reduce harm