‘Breaking the Algorithm’: key takeaways from the young leaders behind a national convening on digital well-being

In an era where social media is a major factor in the daily lives of young people, it is essential to understand its impact on mental health. Mental health in America Recently hosted “Breaking the algorithm” A youth-led summit that seeks to foster collaboration and creativity between key stakeholders from various sectors related to social media and/or youth mental health. Each session, workshop and discussion was a step towards better understanding the topic at hand and better supporting youth digital wellbeing.

Below are some striking moments from each session.

In the first introductory session, “Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Youth Mental Health and Social Media,” moderator Mohammad Shedeed led an inspiring discussion with panelists Corbin Evans, JD, MPP, MBA; S. Bryn Austin, ScD, MS; Rachel Hanebutt, EdM, MA, MS; and Eduardo Lara. The session addressed popular misconceptions and myths about social media platforms and the reciprocal relationship they have with mental health. Panelists also discussed potential designs for improving the platforms.

Key findings:

• Young people are not a monolithic group and should not be treated as such when making decisions in this area.
• Social media isn’t all good or all bad: it can be both!
• Not enough people are researching the relationship between social media and mental health, partly due to insufficient funding and data retention by tech companies.

During the second session, titled “Echoes of Inequity: Understanding Youth’s Disparate Experiences Online,” moderator Tinuola Adebukola, MPH, CPH led a dynamic discussion with panelists Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, MHSc; Joel Bervell; Alejandra Gomez; and Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu Iyamah, MS. Participants focused on the unique challenges marginalized communities face within the digital landscape, exploring topics such as racial trauma, misinformation, and the need for equitable design features on social media platforms.

Key findings:

• The challenges marginalized youth face offline are also perpetuated online, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive digital spaces.
• Racial trauma and misinformation perpetuated on social media platforms exacerbate mental health issues among young people of color, underscoring the need for trauma-informed solutions.
• Equitable design features and co-creation with those who have lived experience are essential to mitigating the impact of racial trauma and fostering a safer online environment.

In the third session of the summit, titled “Integrating Multidisciplinary Perspectives to Redefine the Digital Landscape,” moderator Mahmoud Khedr led a thought-provoking discussion with Zainab Okolo, EdD, LCMFT; Zamaan Qureshi; Rob Rasko; and Kristine Gloria, PhD. The discussion sought to uncover what it takes to positively impact the digital ecosystem through a multidisciplinary perspective and cross-sector collaboration.

Key findings:

• Young people have lived experiences that make them experts in the technology they use, therefore, efforts must be made to involve them in meaningful discussions.
• The rise in popularity of mental health has led to an increase in misinformation and pathologisation online, potentially causing unnecessary harm.
• Stakeholders should be aware of the fact that social media use can be influenced by how young people were raised, including their education and socioeconomic status.

The fourth and final session of the Breaking the Algorithm summit featured four design sprints to foster creative problem-solving and collaboration among attendees. These sprints were led by young leaders and each focused on a key aspect of the social media landscape: equity (led by Isabel Ohakamma), product features (led by Keegan Lee), business models (led by Mahmoud Khedr), and cross-sector collaboration (led by Sam Gerry). The structure of each sprint was set by Omri Gal and Sami Kosaraju, and ultimately, members of each group were encouraged to consider where we are now, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. This session served as a valuable way for summit attendees to exchange ideas with their peers and foster the development of new initiatives aimed at building a healthier digital ecosystem.

In short, “Breaking the Algorithm” was a valuable reminder that young people can and should lead the way as we begin to transform the digital landscape. That said, this summit simply marks the beginning of our commitment to creating meaningful change in this landscape. Stay tuned for information about our summit-related research later this year!

Do you want to help us create healthier online spaces? Share your opinions through our survey.