Children today are spending more time on screens than ever before. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, youth spend an average of more than seven hours per day engaged in screen-based entertainment, totaling up to 114 full days spent in front of screens annually. This session will delve into the mental health implications of digital media consumption on young people, spanning from early developmental stages to the cultivation of critical thinking skills amidst the proliferation of misinformation online. Panelists will explore how digital media can serve both as an educational tool and a contributor to mental health challenges such as body dysmorphia, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The discussion will also address the role of policy in creating safer digital environments for youth and how protective measures and proactive interventions can bolster youth mental health. Through this conversation, we aim to shed light on the complex interplay between digital media and youth mental health while advocating for strategies to mitigate potential harm and promote positive well-being. 

Moderator

Jacob Ward

Technology Journalist

Speakers

Kenneth Cole

Founder, The Mental Health Coalition

Bill Ready

CEO, Pinterest

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

First Partner of California

Ashwin Vasan

Health Commissioner, City of New York

Sherrie Westin

President and Interim CEO, Sesame Workshop