The Case for Maximizing the Impact of Second Screens: 5 Case Studies
How can film and TV creatives, producers, networks, and marketing teams motivate positive mental health help-seeking behavior when they release projects that feature mental health storylines?
This project builds on previous research conducted by CSS, which showed that 92% of young people sought mental health information after watching a popular television series. Based on five case studies that provide evidence of second-screen successes, we detail how media companies can develop and prioritize relevant supplementary content to support positive mental health help-seeking behavior among youth. We also offer recommendations for anyone considering a campaign using second screens. For this report, we studied second screen activations for the following shows:
Overview
Ginny & Georgia
Yellowjackets
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2024)
Big Mouth
Wolf Pack
In all cases, the additional content activated audiences, and it is likely that these exposures to second-screen content led to increased engagement with mental health storylines.
We hope that these case studies can be a starting point for film, TV, and media decision-makers positioned to prioritize, invest in, and develop second-screen content that supports positive mental health outcomes among youth.
Industry Takeaways
Four Takeaways for Creative and Marketing Teams Looking to Use the Power of Second Screens to Support Adolescent Mental Health
Previous CSS Findings and Relevant Resources
CSS’s Second-Screen Media and Teen Mental Health Report: https://www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/second-screen-media-and-teen-mental-health-report
CSS’s Media & Teen Mental Health Report: https://www.scholarsandstorytellers.com/teen-mental-health-report
Norman Lear Center’s Media Impact Report: https://www.mediaimpactproject.org/mentalhealth.html
Acknowledgments
Monika Nayak
Phoebe Loew
Jamie Azar
Yalda Uhls, Ph.D.
Authors
Thanks to The Funders for Adolescent Science Translation (FAST) for supporting this work.
Special Thanks to:
Brynne O'Hare
Amaya P
Ali Bayard
Quincy Solomon
Chelsea Wan
Christine King
Jill Hotchkiss
Meredith Goldberg-Morse
Alicia Katz
Don Halcombe
Dennis St Rose
Megan Crawford
Renee Schneider
Sheri Singer
Doreen Marshall
Halle Stanford
Ruben Garcia
CAA