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 with over twenty years of experience working in the mental health and legal arena. She is a qualified expert witness in clinical and forensic social work in numerous jurisdictions and courts in Maryland and at the federal level. She concentrates on cases involving illegal or harsh sentences, post-conviction relief, modifications of sentences, and juveniles charged as adults. Ms. Cruz is the founder and CEO of Cruz & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in preparing comprehensive forensic psychosocial reports for criminal and civil matters, continuing education, and psychotherapy. When not working on cases, she is an avid continuing education presenter who specializes in trauma and ethics.
Ms. Cruz is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a BA in psychology. She received her Master of Social Work, specializing in mental health and addiction, from 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-MD, and in 2010 she 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. She maintains various professional memberships and affiliations and has been a professor at University of Maryland School of Social Work (Shady Grove and Baltimore campus) and has taught at Catholic University of America Social Work Graduate School.
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:
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Appraise one’s knowledge of the various forms of social media platforms and their effect on a user’s mental health.
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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.
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Explore the connection between intermittent reinforcement: becoming addicted to and anticipating a like or comment to a post.
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Articulate and explore the role of social comparison: differentiating between upward and downward social comparisons and their effect on users mental health.
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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.
