Social media has increasingly been linked to mental health challenges in youth across the state as well as the nation.

To address this issue, Black Physicians of Utah is sponsoring a summit on Saturday, Aug. 17, to help students ages 11 to 18 and their parents explore the impact of social media on mental health.

Dr. Richard Ferguson, president of Black Physicians of Utah, said the event, a first of its kind in Utah, will also have a discussion on navigating anxiety and stress as children get ready to go back to school. Additionally, the event will include discussions on ways to maintain a healthy balance in the digital age and also address cyberbullying, imposter syndrome, perfectionism and technology in the developing brain.

The summit will be held at Myriad Genetics, 322 N. 2200 West, Salt Lake City from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $5 and will include breakfast and lunch.

“This is the second year that we are having a Back To School Mental Health Summit and the theme this year will be on how to address the mental health impact and harms caused by social media to our children in Utah,” Ferguson said.

The event comes on the heels of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s urgent action to prevent harm to kids on social media.

“While social media may offer some benefits, there are ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly,” according to a press release from Murthy.

Murthy said many parents wonder if social media is safe for their children, but he said there isn’t enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, “social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health.”

The press release states adolescence and childhood represent a critical stage in brain development that can make young people more vulnerable to harm from social media.

According to a survey, one-third or more girls ages 11 to 15 said they feel addicted to particular platforms on social media and 46% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 said social media makes them feel worse. Only 14% said social media makes them feel better.

“The Surgeon General is issuing a call for urgent action by policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families, and young people alike to gain a better understanding of the full impact of social media use, maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of social media platforms, and create safer, healthier online environments to protect children. The Surgeon General’s Advisory is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ongoing efforts to support President Joe Biden’s whole-of-government strategy to transform mental health care for all Americans.”

To sign up for the summit, scan the QR code at BPOU.org.

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