By Emily Carter, Account Director and Abigail Allhusen, Senior Account Executive, McCann Global Health
In response to the growing adolescent mental health crisis and increasing calls for social media reform, the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation, in partnership with McCann Global Health, hosted an event, "How Social Media has Created an ‘Anxious Generation’ and What We Can Do About It" at Endicott College. The community event brought together hundreds of attendees to address Massachusetts’ teen mental health challenges and charted a community-led roadmap for action. The Foundation supports medical research, education and the advancement of public health. It funds research on disease prevention and treatment, provides medical training and equipment, and incubates innovative public health initiatives to improve community health outcomes.
Held amidst recent moves to ban certain social media platforms, the event, moderated by Jim Braude, prominent Boston radio show host, featured leading voices in adolescent mental health including Dr. Gene Beresin, Executive Director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds; Will Austin, President of the Boston Schools Fund; Dr. Abigail Stark, licensed clinical psychologist; Destinee Ramos, Harvard student and Center for Digital Thriving researcher and keynote speaker Zach Rauch, principal researcher for "The Anxious Generation."
The urgency of the crisis
According to a CDC study, in 2023 more than 40% of students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless. More than 1 in 5 (22%) students seriously considered attempting suicide and 1 in 10 attempted suicide. The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health reports similar figures.
Harmful social media use is a driving factor, so much so that a Harris Poll conducted by Zach Rausch, found that almost half of Gen Z wishes social media platforms like X and TikTok didn’t exist at all. Social media presents a meaningful risk of harm to youth, especially during a highly sensitive phase in adolescent brain development. Health impacts include increased rates of depression and anxiety, sleep quality, self-esteem issues, addiction, among other issues. These insights were highlighted in a book recently published by Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation."
Keynote speaker Zach Rauch underscored the importance of taking the "Anxious Generation" from theory to action, stating, "It’s not enough to study the effects of social media on mental health. We need actionable steps to protect, educate and support our youth and communities."
Building a roadmap for the community
The event aimed to craft a community-driven roadmap, engaging participants on practical solutions for parents, educators, health professionals and youth. Discussions ranged from helping teens establish healthy relationships with social platforms, practical steps parents can take now to protect kids online, the latest on school phone bans and potential regulations in Massachusetts.
Supporting parents and teens
Dr. Gene Beresin emphasized parental involvement, saying, "Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense. Providing them with resources and support fosters honest conversations about the mental health impact of digital life, mental illness in families, trauma, overscheduling and societal factors that contribute to youth mental health challenges."
Dr. Abigail Stark added, "As clinicians, we focus on equipping young people with the skills to navigate digital risks responsibly, fostering a balanced approach that supports their mental health, developmental independence and overall well-being."
Public health campaigns are urgently needed to educate teens and parents about the harmful effects of social media, with many teens struggling with constant comparison, cyberbullying and addiction-like behaviors. Educating both teens and parents about risks—and about strategies to create healthy boundaries, such as setting time limits, fostering offline relationships and promoting mindful use—can help prevent the misuse of social media and encourage habits that support mental and emotional well-being. McCann Health Brazil recently developed such a campaign - "Screen-Free Childhood" for Brazilian parenting platform Pais & Filhos, to highlight harmful effects of screen time on mental health. Similar initiatives are urgently needed right here in the US.
Interventions and communications must be co-created with Gen Z. Destinee Ramos, a junior at Harvard and researcher at the Center for Digital Thriving, represented the youth perspective: "Young people live this reality every day. We need more youth voices and peer-led solutions if we’re going to make real change."
Empowering schools and policy change
Social media use is also associated with decreased academic achievement among teens, according to a 2023 study by Global Health Newswire. As a result, schools are starting to ban or restrict cell phone use in schools. Will Austin, Boston Schools Fund President, highlighted, "Schools prepare children for the world, and that includes [responsible use of] technology. As their daily caretakers, schools are responsible for providing the safeguards and tools children need to navigate technology and protect their own mental health."
A new strategic focus for the foundation
This event marks a strategic new focus for the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation, which plans to increase its efforts in addressing the adolescent mental health crisis in the community. Upcoming initiatives include grant programs, educational resources and expanded partnerships with local organizations dedicated to teen mental health and digital wellness.
Foundation President Suzanne Graves commented, "This event is just the beginning. We’re committed to driving forward initiatives that protect and support youth mental health. Social media is a powerful force, but so is community action. Together, we’re paving the way toward meaningful solutions."
Learn more about the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation.
