Description
Social media platforms, which currently have over a billion users and are growing worldwide, have become increasingly popular and pervasive over the years. Presently, there is a plethora of social media sites that allow users to create a profile and within seconds they are connected to millions of people.
This workshop will explore the role of social media and how it relates to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, self-validation and social comparison. Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. General, has called congress to enact labels similar to the ones required on tobacco products. “It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents." A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe,” Murthy said. “Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
Social media affect individuals across the lifespan but could become more addictive among adolescents. Numerous studies have indicated that prolonged social media use (SMU) and depression/anxiety can be characterized by an emerging maladaptive pattern known as problematic social media use (PSMU). Including some Maryland districts, over 200 hundred school districts are currently suing social media giants due to the adverse and addictive effects of social media use on adolescents. This workshop will explore various issues like user typologies, gender traits, sleep disturbances, addictive patterns to social media, and overall mental health implications for prolonged social media use. This is an interactive workshop where case vignettes will be presented to further enhance the learning experience and allow for direct application of learned principles.
Instructor
Cruz and Associates
Ms. Cruz is a bilingual (Spanish/English) clinical and forensic social worker who has worked with children, adolescents, and families for over eighteen years. Ms. Cruz was employed for ten years as a forensic social worker with the Office of the Public Defender in Montgomery County. In addition, from 2000–2014 she worked as an emergency room and psychiatric social worker. She has extensive experience in inpatient psych and partial hospitalization psych programs. Ms. Cruz specializes in criminal defense mitigation, dual diagnosis, crisis intervention, addiction, trauma, and working with diverse ethnic groups.
Ms. Cruz is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a B.A. in psychology and received her Master of Social Work, specializing in mental health and addiction, from the University of Maryland School of School Work. In 2014 she completed an advanced two-year post-graduate Forensic Social Work Certification through the University of Maryland Continuing Education Department. In 2008 she co-created the Forensic Social Work Committee for NASW and in 2010 became the sole chair, a position she maintained until 2016, when she resigned due to other professional obligations. She continues to advocate for legislative changes. Under her leadership, the committee successfully hosted two national forensic social work conferences and advocated for various legislative bills and reform. She maintains various professional memberships and affiliations.
Ms. Cruz is an Adjunct Professor:
-
In 2016, Ms. Cruz joined the University of Maryland (Shady Grove) School of Social Work, teaching Advanced Trauma.
-
In 2015, Ms. Cruz joined the Catholic University of America School of Social Work, teaching Advanced Ethics.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
01:00 - 01:15 - Log On/Registration
01:15 - 02:30 - Learning Objectives Social Media Trends & Terminology Mental Health
02:30 - 02:40 - Break
02:40 - 04:30 - Social Media Addiction Visual Presentation Questions and Answers
04:30 - Questions & Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
-
Appraise one’s knowledge of the various forms of social media platforms and their effect on a user’s mental health.
-
Participants will be able to articulate protective factors to share with social media users to eliminate or decrease negative mental health outcomes related to media usage.
-
Explore the connection between intermittent reinforcement: becoming addicted to and anticipating a like or comment to a post.
-
Articulate and explore the role of social comparison: differentiating between upward and downward social comparisons and their effect on users mental health.
-
Analyze the Surgeon General warning and the current state of lawsuits against social media platforms.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Trifiro, Briana & Prena, Kelsey (2021) Active Instagram Use and its association with self-esteem and well-being, Technology, Mind and Behavior: American Psychology association
Perkovich, Amanda (2021) The Impact of Social Media on Teenage Females Self-Esteem, Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University
Valkenburg et al. (2021) Adolescents’ Social Media Experiences and their self-esteem: A person- specific susceptibility perspective, Technology, Mind and Behavior: American Psychology Association
Taylor-Jackson, Jacqui & Moustafa, Ahmed (2021) The relationships between social media use and factors relating to depression, The Nature of Depression, 171-182.
Skogen et al. (2021) Through the Looking Glass of Social Media. Focus on Self-Presentation and Association with Mental Health and Quality of Life. A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 3319.
Schivinski et al. (2020) Exploring the role of social media use motives, psychological well-being, self-esteem, and the affect in problematic social media use, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 11
Talawar, Jyothi & Kumar, Vinodh (2020) The Impact of Social Media om Self-Esteem, IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Volume 25, Issue 2
Jiang, Shaohai & Negien, Annabel (2020) The Effects of Instagram Use, Social Comparison, and Self-Esteem on Social Anxiety: A Survey Study in Singapore, Social Media and Society, 1-10
Daniels, Jasmine (2020) The impact of social media on the Self-Esteem of Youth 10-17 Years Old: A review of the literature, Dissertations, 506.
Gallagher, Shannon (2017) The influence of social media on teens’ self-esteem, Theses and Dissertations, 2438
Jan et al. (2017) Impact of social media on Self-Esteem, European Scientific Journal, Vol 13, No. 23
Raymer, Kristine (2015) The effects of social media sites on self-esteem, Theses and Dissertations 284.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
Fee & Registration:
Cost is $70 and includes CE credit. Registering after 9.8.23 will incur an additional $20 late fee. Cancellations* must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
*ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.
