Peers and Predators: Helping Youth Navigate Stress from Social Media

Course overview

Trainer/Presenter: Adrienne Elhai, PhD, Director; Cullen Center Youth (ages 11 to 18 years) anxiety is at an all-time high and remain one of the most common diagnosis (Novotney, 2019). Many factors contribute to this including increased pressure to perform well in school, living in a world of school shootings, and a constant connection to their phones. Smartphone ownership is nearly universal across genders, races and ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with 95% of teens reporting they have or have access to a smartphone. Further, 45% of teens report they are online almost constantly (Anderson & Jiang, 2018). Social media has created avenues to create connection and social networks, especially during a global pandemic. Teens engage with social media for a variety of reasons, including to share common interests and accomplishments, explore their identity, share their feelings, and expand their social network, including forming intimate relationships (i.e., dating). In addition, a significant minority (up to 17%) report they share their personal problems online. Most teens say that social media better connects them to their friends lives and helps them feel more supported (Anderson & Jiang, 2018b). However, increased screen time, using phones, television, and computers is associated with increased anxiety and a negative impact on self-esteem (Anderson & Jiang, 2018b; Boers, Afzali, and Conrod, 2019). Not only do teens report drama on social media, but this constant connection to friends and their friends problems through smartphones and social media places a burden on youth that they are ill-equipped to handle. Further, when teens are on social media and reach out beyond friends, they venture into a vast unknown, potentially dangerous space. Exposure to bullying, being harassed, and sexually explicit content through social media is a major concern (Mayo Clinic, 2019; Lin, Liu, and Yi, 2019). Youth may not feel they can turn to adults, so they turn to peers or reach out to unknown people online who are potential predators. Transforming care for kids requires parents and caring adults to move from a behavioral focused to a relationship-based approach. When parents are concerned about online safety their initial reaction is to control behavior to protect their loved ones. This can look like installing monitoring apps, taking away phones, and limiting internet use. Not only does this have mixed success, it drives disconnection. This interactive workshop will equip adults with the knowledge and skill to help youth deal with the anxiety associated with social media and constant connection to friends. Through discussion, polls, and videos presenters will use a developmental framework with participants to educate parents and caring adults on how to move from the lens of 'attention seeking' to 'connection seeking'. Participants will understand the attention, protection, connection progression and will learn practical strategies to engage with youth and families in helpful and meaningful ways that go beyond rule setting. Participants will be able to evaluate the role of social media/technology and the inherent strengths and risks associated with the various forms of social media, and how to have discussions around this with youth and families. We must move towards an attitude of connection and understanding youth rather than controlling behavior if we want to shepherd them safely and healthily to adulthood.