The BIG ZOOM Discussion - Is Social Media Damaging Teenage Mental Health?

The BIG ZOOM Discussion
Building on the success of the One Life Course last year and the regular monthly Lunchtime Discussion Group, Humanists in Berkshire will hold our next Zoom event on the topic Is Social Media Damaging to Mental Health?

All are welcome to attend. Humanists in Berkshire is a collaboration between Reading and Windsor Humanists.

Is Social Media Damaging Mental Health?
We will be discussing concerns about the impact of social media on mental health. Roger Heppleston will be opening the discussion by outlining the work of Harvard social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on this subject. Roger will base this on Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Haidt's research suggests that social media are seriously damaging the health of teenagers, particularly girls. This is leading to serious mental health issues including a dramatic increase in rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide.

We will also discuss the wider impact of social media and the internet on mental health and social life in general.

A briefing paper for the session is available at Is Social Media Damaging Teenage Mental Health?

About The BIG ZOOM
BIG ZOOM sessions will start with a short presentation setting out the issue. This will then be followed by a breakout into smaller groups to allow everyone the opportunity to participant. The session will end with an open plenary session for the groups to feedback the results of their deliberations and discussions. The intent of this initiative is to give those who cannot attend the regular lunchtime sessions or our evening events the opportunity to participate online and also provide an open forum for everyone to have the opportunity to converse and make friends with fellow humanists online.

Zoom details:
Zoom: The BIG ZOOM - Are Social Media Damaging to Mental Health?
Meeting ID: 867 3231 3173
Passcode: 110345