Teenagers Leading the Charge: Mental Health Advocacy in the Digital Age
In today’s interconnected world, teenagers are finding themselves in a paradox where social media should bring people closer but instead has heightened loneliness and mental health challenges. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory drew vital connections between excessive social media use and mental health concerns, sparking comprehensive discussions and innovative solutions spearheaded by young individuals themselves.
A Framework Rooted in Youth Perspective
Rachel Hanebutt, an assistant professor at Georgetown University, emphasizes the necessity of involving teenagers in decision-making processes regarding their mental health. During the APHA 2025 session, Hanebutt highlighted how a national Teen Advisory Board, launched in collaboration with the nonprofit #HalfTheStory, gave teens the reins to lead impactful initiatives, ensuring their voices shape wellness frameworks.
The board, comprising teens aged 14 to 19, represented diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. The result was a unique, youth-led model that not only engaged peers through innovative recruitment and retention strategies but also highlighted the importance of peer-referral and fair compensation.
Teens Driving the Change
As youth engagement grew, the Teen Advisory Board matured into hosting self-directed meetings, establishing a digital well-being framework addressing issues in tech policy and societal norms. As Hanebutt noted, “Empowering teens as meeting leaders strengthens the ownership they have over public health research.”
The framework aims to bridge health equity in digital spaces, paving the way for substantial upstream systematic changes fueled by youth perspectives.
From Advisory to Legislation
Despite the board’s successes, further action is needed in locales without strong nonprofit support. Melissa Villodas and her research team at George Mason University examined state-level policies regarding teen mental health and social media, revealing gaps and opportunities for legislative advancements.
Out of 178 policies identified across states, only six policies are actively enforced, indicating the necessity for states to more aggressively champion youth mental health protections through laws. Most existing policies stem from Senate initiatives, largely driven by parents, digital platforms, or schools, demonstrating a pressing need for more youth-centered policies.
The Road Ahead
This innovative youth-led framework invites continued support from public health advocates and policymakers to expand and incorporate laws to safeguard youth mental health against digital age challenges. As echoed by a Teen Advisory Board member, “Being a part of Half the Story’s Teen Advisory Board allowed me to see the intersection of tech, law, and social media and truly opened my eyes to the critical need for digital well-being advocacy.”
While the journey has begun, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure the digital well-being of future generations. According to American Public Health Association, the youth’s leadership and insight are vital components in navigating and overcoming the challenges posed by our ever-evolving digital landscape.
