Navigating the Digital Age: Strategies for Protecting Adolescent Mental Health

Hi, I am Enoch Chan, a 17-year-old student studying in Hong Kong at King George the Fifth School. A little bit about myself, I consistently excel at my school subjects such as English, Biology and Psychology. I also am an avid enjoyer of sports as I am a player in my school's varsity volleyball and basketball team as well as being a member of the Hong Kong U19 men’s national softball team in which I have been selected to represent Hong Kong at multiple international events. However, the one topic that I find myself most passionate about is researching and advocating for neurodegenerative conditions. I have written and am planning to publish a research paper regarding the effectiveness of online testing for neurodegenerative diseases, more specifically, ADHD. I am also the Co-Founder and student leader of neurodiversity at my high school, KGV. We have spoken to numerous schools across Hong Kong, raising awareness regarding neurological disorders around the world as well as performing hands-on tasks to help those who are impacted by said disorders. 

One of the largest problems our modern society faces nowadays is the dangers of technology, specifically the impacts of social media on the teens of today. Some of the issues we are constantly battling nowadays are the negative influence of external factors such as social media, peer relationships and parental influence in shaping the psychological and neuroscientific aspects of adolescent brain development. As teenagers nowadays are exposed to an increased amount of external factors such as social media, peer relationships and parental influence, the probability of these factors negatively impacting their lives both now and in the future has dramatically risen throughout the years. Furthermore, how parental influence may be negatively influencing the development of adolescents. 

Now you may be asking yourself, is this issue really of such urgency? Why do we, as a society, need to act immediately? Well, let me outline some baseline facts for you. Research done by the Pew Research Center indicates that nearly 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. say they are on some sort of social media platform ‘almost constantly’. And teens who say they are online ‘almost constantly’ has doubled from 2014 to 2015 since nowadays, over 95% of teens have access to smartphones daily. 

Not surprisingly, all this screen time has cut into many kids' sleep time. Between 2010 and 2021, the percentage of 10th and 12th graders who slept seven or fewer hours each night rose from a third to nearly one-half. "That's a big jump," Twenge says. "Kids in that age group are supposed to sleep nine hours a night. So less than seven hours is a really serious problem."

At DigiAware, we aim to combat the rapidly worsening issue of adolescent overuse of short-form social media, which negatively affects their brain development. Through our global platform, we strive to raise awareness about society’s addiction to social media and its impacts.

VISION

V-Visionary- Focusing on a forward-thinking approach

I-Innovate- Thinking outside the box, creating unique and distinctive ideas

S-Synergy-Effective and cohesive teamwork

I-Inspire- Motivating positive change through creative approaches

O-Optimize- Maximizing efficiency for adolescent well-being

N- Network- Building a global network for shared ideas and support

Our solution involves establishing an online hub for global collaboration, allowing adolescents to share strategies and support. We plan to create an engaging website as an awareness campaign, utilizing multimedia to educate adolescents, parents, and communities. By including expert opinions, we aim to offer a comprehensive understanding of the issue and effective solutions. Additionally, we will provide a dedicated section with resources for parents, aiding them in understanding and navigating external factors affecting teenagers.

So far, we have empowered adolescents with a platform to share experiences, strategies, and support, building resilience against negative influences. We have also equipped parents with insights and resources for informed decision-making, fostering effective guidance in addressing challenges. The collective impact of a global network collaborating to address the issue showcases the significance of united efforts. We emphasize potential positive behavioural change among adolescents through increased awareness, education, and support garnered from the platform.

My commitment to addressing the challenges faced by today's youth aligns closely with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, my work supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting healthier lives through education about the impacts of social media on mental health. Additionally, through our global platform, we contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing essential information and resources to both adolescents and their parents, fostering a well-informed community that can navigate the complexities of modern digital life. These endeavours not only improve individual lives but also build healthier, more resilient communities.

In conclusion, the journey we are on to mitigate the negative impacts of social media on adolescent development is both challenging and rewarding. As I continue to develop and expand our initiatives, the focus remains on creating meaningful changes that will benefit not only current but also future generations. With every step forward, we are not only addressing immediate concerns but also paving the way for a more informed, healthy, and connected world. Let's continue to support each other in this mission, sharing knowledge, resources, and compassion as we strive towards a brighter, more aware society.