Screened Out? Young people, wellbeing and new media

New research and policy analysis on adolescent wellbeing and the effects of screen-based media.

Speakers at the event include:

Dr Cara Booker, Research Fellow, Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Essex

James Lloyd, Director, Strategic Society Centre

Joe Hayman, Chief Executive, PSHE Association

Lucie Russell, Director of Campaigns, YoungMinds

Others tbc.

Twitter: #sscimpact

TVs, computers and smartphones now occupy every waking hour of people’s lives. The growth of social networking across different media platforms is also changing the nature of social interaction.

These profound societal changes are most observable among young people.

However, new quantitative research from the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) has identified a negative relationship between screen-based media, usage of social networking sites and the wellbeing of adolescents.

The findings of this research, and the sheer numbers of young people whose lives are dominated by new communication technologies, pose a serious challenge for policymakers keen to promote the wellbeing of the population.

This event will see a presentation of the research and the launch of a new policy report analysing the challenge facing policymakers. The event will explore:

• How does usage of screen-based media and social networking sites influence wellbeing among young adults? How can we explain this relationship?
• What can policymakers do to protect the wellbeing of adolescents in the face of the rapid adoption of new screen-based technologies?
• How can personal and health education programmes be used to influence young people’s interaction with screen-based media, and protect their wellbeing?
• Are new media companies sufficiently engaged with the wellbeing of young users? Can media platforms themselves be used to nudge young people’s behaviour?

This event is free and open to all; however, registration is required.