Jane Harness, D.O., adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, pictured above, right, shared information about safe social media practices among youth and their caregivers during her participation in the recent 517 Juneteenth Weekend in Lansing.
Harness has collaborated with MyVoice researchers, specifically on the paper, “Entertainment Media’s Influence on Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Youth Perspectives,” which was published in October 2024 in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychology. Find the publication here.
She also has utilized MyVoice data on a paper published in 2022 titled, “Youth Insight About Social Media Effects on Well/Ill-Being and Self-Modulating Efforts.” That paper was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health and can be found here.
While at the event, Harness engaged with youth and their parents/caregivers at the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MIAAP) information table, where she teamed up with Anne’ka Marzette, programming and communications director of the MIAAP, pictured above on the left.
“We created and distributed flyers for youth and caregivers that include QR codes to helpful resources, “quick tips”, conversation starters for caregivers, disconnection strategy options for youth, and quotes from young people from our MyVoice study,” Harness said. “I especially enjoyed talking with teens about the ‘quick tips’ we included on the flyers.
We need to increase quantity, quality and equitable distribution of education to youth about media literacy skills, social media setting optimization, and digital citizenship to help improve health and wellbeing, including mental health,” she added.
To access the flyer for youth, click here.
To access the flyer for parents/caregivers, click here.