Mental Health Awareness Month: Supporting Youth in a Digital World
Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG)
During Mental Health Awareness Month, organizations across the country highlight the importance of emotional wellbeing, mental health education, and access to supportive resources for individuals and families. As conversations surrounding youth mental health continue to grow, increased attention is also being placed on the impact that social media and digital environments have on emotional wellness, relationships, and daily life.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health recently shared updates and resources focused on helping youth, families, healthcare providers, and communities better understand the relationship between social media use and mental health.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Center encouraged individuals to reflect on the activities, relationships, and coping strategies that support emotional wellbeing. One highlighted resource, the “Calm Toolbox,” encourages individuals to build healthy coping skills and identify positive strategies for managing stress and emotions.
The Center’s newsletter also highlighted ongoing educational efforts for clinicians and mental health professionals through the “5 Cs of Media Use” ECHO series. This initiative focuses on understanding how digital media affects youth mental health and provides guidance for integrating healthy media conversations into healthcare settings. Topics include digital motivations, content quality, problematic media use, prevention, screening, and family communication surrounding technology use.
Another important topic discussed was “sharenting,” a term used to describe parents or caregivers sharing photos and information about children online. While social media can help families stay connected, experts warn that public sharing may increase risks related to privacy, online predators, and unwanted exposure. The Center encourages families to carefully manage privacy settings, be intentional about shared content, and involve children in conversations about online safety and consent whenever appropriate.
Artificial intelligence and chatbot technology were also identified as emerging concerns in youth mental health. During a recent panel discussion hosted by the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, experts discussed how youth are increasingly using AI tools to ask questions about stigmatized topics, including mental health. However, concerns remain regarding whether these systems are appropriately designed to respond safely and effectively to youth mental health needs. Researchers emphasized that current studies on AI and youth mental health are still in early stages, highlighting the importance of continued education, monitoring, and evidence-based guidance.
The Community Service Board of Middle Georgia encourages parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and community members to remain engaged in conversations surrounding youth mental health and digital wellbeing. Building healthy communication, promoting balanced technology use, and supporting safe online environments can help strengthen emotional resilience and encourage positive mental health outcomes for youth and families.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. (2026, May). What to watch for this month: Virtual Youth Forum recap and summer activities.
National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation. (2026). Interview on AI and youth mental health.