Episode Summary:
Host Dr. Nicholas Chadi speaks with Dr. Gary Goldfield about social media and how it impacts teen body image and mental health. Practical tips for identifying red flags and finding healthy alternatives are discussed.

People:

• Dr. Nicholas Chadi—host and paediatrician specialized in adolescent medicine
• Dr. Gary Goldfield—Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute and a Professor of paediatrics at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on how physical activity, screen time, and lifestyle factors affect eating behaviors, weight, and mental health in children and youth.

Key Takeaways:

• Heavy use of social media (more than more than 2 hours per day) is linked with lower body image and self esteem
• Younger teens and girls are disproportionately affected by the harms associated with social media
• Parents can engage their teen to understand what needs social media is meeting for them and discuss healthy non-screen alternatives

This is the final episode in a three-part series on screen use in teens. Links to the earlier episodes on cyberbullying and screen use and mental health can be found below

· From Schoolyard to Screen: Bullying in a digital world

· The Bottomless Scroll: Screen use and teen mental health

Additional Resources:

• Canadian Pediatric Society’s Center for Healthy Screen Use: healthyscreenuse.cps.ca
• From Dr. Goldfield and the CHEO Research Institute: Cutting social media back to one hour a day boosts mental health and sleep in youth

Healthy Teens is brought to you by the Canadian Paediatric Society. Send comments or episode ideas to info@cps.ca with the subject line "Healthy Teens."