How do we then strike a balance in the use of technology and digital media for the greater good of children and adolescent development, but in such a way that minimises the risks that accrue to mental health?
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will co-sponsor a workshop focused on the science of the impact of technology and digital media (TDM) on children’s development and mental health.
This will be a one-day workshop to be convened on April 4th, 2024, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, parents, and the public about the intricate, multi-faceted influence of TDM on infants, children, and adolescents.
Contents
Key Topics of Discussion at the Workshop
TDM’s Impact on Early Brain Development:
Leading experts will discuss how TDM interacts with the developing brain, pointing to the potential positives and negatives this tool could have.
Social-Emotional Development and Mental Health:
The workshop will examine the way that TDM use shapes social and emotional skills and their relationship to mental health outcomes. Topics such as the impact of TDM on sleep patterns, activity levels, and childhood obesity will also be discussed.
Online safety and cyberbullying:
Strategies for Dealing with Online Safety Issues and Tackling Cyberbullying Matters.
Media Use Guidelines for Parents and Carers:
This workshop will offer parents and carers insightful recommendations and guidelines on ways to mould good media use habits in children with TDM.
The Significance of the Workshop
Our current digital age presents both unique opportunities and challenges for children and adolescents. Despite its capability to create powerful learning experiences, promote creativity, and enhance social interaction, TDM has still been associated with an increased problem of screen time, cyberbullying, and probable disruptions during bedtime.
Also, you can check out Twitter’s recent posts:
Interested in how technology and digital media affect the development and mental health of youth 📱? From April 4–5, NIMH and @NICHD_NIH will host a workshop to discuss research that examines this relationship. Register to watch! https://t.co/QbbZZ3qq4K
— National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (@NIMHgov) March 28, 2024
The workshop provides an important platform in which researchers discuss the latest findings in these areas and, most importantly, chart the way forward in further research activities.
This workshop has highly essential value not only for medical practitioners and health workers but also for parents, teachers, educators, and carers in general, all of whom can learn much and benefit greatly regarding the inculcation of healthy habits in TDM.
Participating in the Workshop
The workshops are therefore open to the scientific community and the public at large, since they are designed for remote participation from any part of the world. More information on the workshops and how to enrol can be gotten from the NICHD website: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/
Staying Updated:
Do visit the NICHD and NIMH sites for more of the studies discussed during this workshop. You can also follow the #NICHDNIMHWorkshop hashtag on your favourite social media site for more updates about the workshop.
Addressing the Digital Divide
It is essential to give young people digital literacy skills so they can safely navigate such environments. Education projects aimed at developing responsible and critical behaviour on the Internet may become powerful tools for preventing the influence of technologies on mental health.
Recent Coverage: Webinar vs Workshop: How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Goals
Collaborative Solutions
Workshops such as the NICHD-NIMH are designed to emphasise interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing the tough questions posed by technology. This gathering of researchers, educators, policy influencers, and industry leaders presents an opportunity to design comprehensive strategies meant to offer support to youths regarding mental health in the digital age.
I hope that this article provides you with valuable information in relation to the NICHD-NIMH Workshop. This workshop may hold some of the most important findings for our common understanding of how to best use TDM in children and adolescents to ensure their healthy development.