1. “Social Media, Electronics & Mental Health”
Hope Academy Clinical Services
“Social Media, Electronics & Mental Health”

2. Hope Academy (HA) Clinical Services
Hope Academy is a licensed Health Care Facility (HPC/HCF/107) in the Cayman Islands. 
Community mental health center open to anyone from the public, adults and children, not just students from Hope
Individual and family counseling, speech and language therapy, psychiatric and educational assessments, home and school support
All therapists are licensed counselors through Council for Professions Allied with Medicine (CPAM)
Youth and/or parents can self-refer by phone, , or by Facebook message
Specialize in youth and families

3. About Me
Licensed Counselling Therapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor
Over 10+ years working with youth and families in a variety of environments (educational, residential, vocational)
Not an expert in electronics, nor social media but took a special interest in how youth and adults use electronics and how they are meeting our needs
Surveyed hundreds of middle and high school youth gaining their input on the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media

4. How Are Electronics Changing Us?

5. Today’s Agenda The good, the bad, and the ugly of social media
Researched facts about youth and internet use
Risks of excess electronic and social media use
Mental health and Electronics
Boundaries and guidelines (for parents and youth)
Some challenges to stay healthy with Electronic Use

6. Warm – Up Activity We Want to Hear from You
The good, bad and ugly of social media/electronic age and it’s effect on youth from your perspective
(Ex. “good – connect with people around the world” OR
(Ex. “bad – I get addicted and lose sleep” OR
(Ex. “ugly – hate groups or pages”

7. How is your cell phone changing you?

8. Electronic Age It’s Not all Bad!
It educates – answers to everything at fingertips
Facilitates communication – updates, chats, etc
Keep in touch with people, locate people
Can boost confidence
Increases social connections
Claim your identity
Entertaining – fun and amusing
Discussion – Are there more positives not listed here?

9. Some Facts… Young people report 10-12 hours per day of screen time
(not including texting time)
Youth texting on average 3000 times per month
We are part of a huge uncontrolled experiment that is yet to be determined all the benefits and effects

10. 6 Ways Social Media Affects our Mental Health
It’s addictive
It triggers more sadness, less well-being
Comparing our lives with others is mentally unhealthy
It can lead to jealousy—and a vicious cycle
We get caught in the delusion of thinking it will help
More friends on social doesn’t mean you’re more social

11. Social Media Impact
“My Social Life”

12. Risks of Excess Overstimulation Sleep Deprivation Distraction
Low self-esteem
Social isolation
Peer pressure
Addiction
Cyber-bullying
Develops or Increases anxiety
Online risks and inappropriate relationships
Risk of Depression
Violent gaming could lead to aggressive behaviour
Discussion – Are there any more you can think of? Do you agree or disagree with these points? Why?

13. Boundaries / Guidelines (Parents)
Shutting down electronics (cell, video game, computer) an hour before bedtime
Having electronic-free family time or meals
Discussing social media apps and trying them out (open communication)
Monitoring, privacy settings, net nanny, location settings, central location, role modeling good online reputation and behaviour, discuss dangers
Limit time per day or time of day electronics can be accessed or where in house accessed
Research and stay informed in online safety and engage your family to work together to stay safe
Family Online Safety Institute
We have Kids :   
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Discussion - These are some tips recommended for parents by many sources. Do you as youth agree with these or not? Why?

14. Boundaries / Guidelines (Youth)
Be your own person.
Be nice online.
Think about what you post.
Passwords are private.
Read between the “lines.”
Don’t talk about sex with strangers.
Avoid in-person meetings. 
Be smart when using a smartphone.
Don’t measure your own life based on what others post. 
Discussion - These are some tips recommended for parents by many sources. Do you as youth agree with these or not? Why?

15. Social Media Effect on Mental Health and the Need to Unplug

16. Only You can Decide for You Some Challenges for You
Do you ever unplug? Take an evening or a few hours and completely unplug from all electronics (phone, computer, tablet, and just be alone with your thoughts to reflect, contemplate and monitor your thoughts and feelings) Maybe even write some of your thoughts and feelings down to increase your self-awareness
Challenge yourself to be mindful and present in whatever situation you are physically in rather than tied into an online world that can probably wait until you are done whatever physical environment you are engaged in. The text, response, like can all wait, but the class you are in, the person you are with or the meal you are sharing is time-limited.

17. Questions ?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jason Jones
Hope Academy Clinical Services
Phone:
Grand Harbour, Grand Cayman