'Beyond Algorithms: Real Talk on Social Media & Youth Mental Health'
Every day, young people in our community are navigating a digital world that is moving faster than any of us expected. The pressures of
social media, the scroll, the likes, the comparisons — they are shaping how our kids think, feel, and see themselves.
In fact, a recent Pew Research Center survey of social media use among U.S. teens reveals a growing need for change.
48%
of teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age – up from 32% in 2022
45%
say they spend too much time on social media, up from 36% in 2022
1 in 5
teens say their social media use has hurt their mental health, with girls disproportionately affected.
Solutions-Focused Evening for Our Community
The conversation about the impact of social medial on youth mental health is no longer theoretical — it’s urgent, complex, and deeply personal.
Our 3rd annual Youth Mental Health Summit brings together experts, policymakers, youth voices, educators, and parents for an evening of candid dialogue and actionable insights. This is not just a lecture — it’s a community conversation.
The Summit Program includes:
- Keynote + Youth Interview – A leading expert and youth-driven converstion on the risk , benefits and what ways to safeguard youth well-being
- Policy Panel – Corporate responsibility, pending legislation, and what meaningful protection for youth could look like
- Roundtable Conversations – Small-group discussions on strategies to both protect youth and let them to thrive in a digital world
Jacqueline Nesi, PhD Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor, Brown University
Featured Keynote
Jacqueline Nesi, PhD, is one of the world’s leading experts on how technology impacts young people’s mental health and development. She writes Techno Sapiens, a best-selling weekly Substack with over 50,000 subscribers, which has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Emily Oster’s ParentData, and more. Her research and insights have earned widespread media coverage in print (e.g., NYTimes, WSJ, The Atlantic) and on TV (CNN, CNBC), and her writing has appeared in The Washington Post and Scientific American. She regularly speaks at schools, organizations, and conferences, and has testified before U.S. congressional subcommittees at both the national and state level on issues surrounding tech and mental health. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three young kids.
Who Should Attend
Youth, Parents, Educators, Coaches, Teachers, Pastors, Youth Group Leaders, Health/Mental Health Providers, State & Town Officials, and anyone who loves and cares about young people.
This event is co-sponsored by the Chris Collins Foundation and University of Rhode Island College of Health Sciences, Dept. of Human Development & Family Science, with funding from The Rhode Island Foundation.
Be Part of the Conversation.
This event is free and open to the community. Space is limited — reserve your spot today.
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