TEENS, SCREENS, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION. AN EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDE TO KEY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Introduction: We Are Living in a Digital World
The Role of Media in Development: Early Childhood to Adolescence
Healthy Internet Use: Is It Possible?
Social Media and Screen Time in the Clinical Interview: What to Ask and What It Means
Internet Gaming Disorder and Addictive Behaviors Online
Social Media and Cyberbullying
Sexuality on the Internet: Identity Exploration, Cybersex and Sexting
Fear of Missing Out: Depression and the Internet
Contribution of Social Media to Eating Disorders
Culture, Race and Social Media
Social Media’s Influence on Identity Formation and Self Expression
Autism and the Internet
Peer to Peer Support and the Strength of Online Communities
Internet Safety: Family and Clinician Protection of Kids Online
Virtual Mental Health and Telepsychiatry: Opportunities and Challenges with Pediatric Patients
Remote Education: How to Support Online Learning – Dawn Cunningham High School Educator
Morality and Ethics: Doing the Right Thing Online
Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

This book explores the increasingly important intersection of the digital world and mental health in the lives of pediatric and young adult populations. Young people are spending a considerable amount of time on digital screen activities such as social media, texting, and online gaming. The vast majority of teens and pre-teens have access to computers and smartphones shifting social interaction away from face-to-face contact toward online communication. A practical resource, Teens, Screens, and Social Connection provides the reader with a targeted yet comprehensive understanding of a wide variety of internet and media-related topics facing youth today. Chapters include discussions on the developmental view from early childhood to young adulthood as well as the unique racial and cultural issues pertaining to technology and media. The book provides both the challenges of the internet and media to be identified as well as solutions and clinical pearls that can be immediately applied to clinical practice and real-world scenarios. This book is a practical reference that functions as a concise yet comprehensive summary of the most important aspects of this very timely and important topic. It is an invaluable, practical resource for mental health clinicians, as well as students and those professionals who work with youth in other domains.