Adolescent Mental Health and Technology Use Study

The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA has partnered with the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team (SMAHRT) at UW-Madison to release the findings from an academic survey of 4,000 adolescents and their parents across the country. The findings from this study also inspired CSS to create two tip sheets: one for the tech industry and one for parents. Read more about the study in Psychology Today, Greater Good Magazine, and HealthyChildren.org.

Dr. Megan Moreno and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls discuss the findings from this study.

“We know that many past research studies have focused on large groups of youth. These studies have found very small overall effects of technology on adolescents. In our new study, we wanted to better understand whether there were unique groups within the adolescent population.”
— Dr. Megan Moreno, Lead Author

The Study

  • 4,000 adolescents (13-18) and their parents were surveyed

  • Questions covered technology ownership and use, parental involvement, health outcomes, and well-being indicators

  • Results found two classes: Family-Engaged Adolescents and At Risk Adolescents

Tip Sheets

CSS worked with SMAHRT to take the insights from the study to turn them into two helpful, evidence-based tip sheets: one for members of the tech sector and one for parents.

Tech Tip Sheet

The Tech Tip Sheet contains four evidence-based calls to action for the tech industry to support the digital literacy and well-being of youth from all backgrounds.

Parent Tip Sheet

The Parent Tip Sheet provides helpful ways for parents to support the well-being of youth around digital technology and media.