Social Media Smarts: Navigating Sleep and Mental Health for K-12 Teachers and Parents

Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH

Presenter: Bengi Baran, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences

Description: Social media has received significant attention as a culprit for the ongoing youth mental health crisis, both on its own and indirectly by disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms. There are several emerging critical developments including U.S. Surgeon General's advisories on (1) the negative consequences of social media use and (2) the declining mental health and well-being of parents, as well as emerging policies in school districts banning or restricting smart phone use at school. In this webinar we will discuss emerging research on both negative and protective effects of social media use, ways in which screens interfere with sleep and mental health, and discuss how educators and parents can navigate the Digital Age.

Learning Goals: 1) Interpret ways in which social media use may both confer risk and be protective against mental illness and risky behavior in youth. 2) Evaluate the evidence for the critical role of sleep in cognition and emotional processing. 3) Critically evaluate the evidence that social media use and screen time reduces and disrupts sleep, and that insufficient sleep has been associated with depression, anxiety, behavioral problems and aggression.

By registering for this event, you agree to be photographed or filmed for promotional purposes. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email scsmh-main@uiowa.edu and we will work with you to make any accommodations. 

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Scanlan Center for School Mental Health in advance at 319-467-1120 or scsmh-main@uiowa.edu.