

EP #14 | How can Social Media Affect Mental Health? | Amy Orben
19 snips Mar 28, 2025
In this discussion, Amy Orben, a leading expert from the University of Cambridge on digital mental health, delves into the impact of social media on teens. She breaks down how constant online engagement affects their mental health, stressing the dual nature of social media as both a risk and a tool for connection. Orben also emphasizes the need for critical evaluation of technology’s role in society and offers parental guidance for managing screen time, encouraging open communication to support healthy development.
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Amy Orben's Academic Journey
- Amy Orben's initial interest was biology, swayed briefly by Angela Merkel's political career.
- She chose physics for its challenge but later switched to psychology, finding it more relevant and suited to her skills.
Social Media Research Origin
- Amy Orben's interest in social media research stemmed from a project using Facebook data.
- She pursued it despite it being an unconventional PhD topic at the time.
Societal Concerns about Technology
- Societal concerns about technology often stem from rapid changes and perceived loss of control.
- People often link technology to concerning societal trends, sometimes misattributing causation.