Minding the Brain Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Andrea Howard, Part 1 – #90
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Jun 1, 2025 
Dr. Andrea Howard, an associate professor at Carleton University specializing in adolescent well-being, joins experts Dr. Jim Davies and Dr. Kim Hellemans to unravel the complex relationship between social media and youth mental health. They discuss psychological mechanisms behind addiction, explore social media's dual role in fostering connection and creativity, and examine the neurological impacts of features like endless scrolling. Additionally, they emphasize strategies for healthier social media engagement, highlighting the urgent need for awareness in academic settings.
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Social Media Is Complex Environment
- Social media is more than an app; it's a complex environment with diverse user experiences.
- Measuring usage by time alone misses the complexity behind social media's impact on mental health.
Positive Role of Social Media
- Social media can positively foster networking, creativity, and acceptance, especially for marginalized youth.
- It provides safe spaces where marginalized individuals feel welcome outside their immediate physical lives.
Social Media and Addiction Potential
- Addiction to social media involves problematic behaviors resembling substance use disorders such as tolerance and withdrawal.
- Research is preliminary, but some individuals develop loss of control over social media use with brain changes similar to addiction.