New generations of youth are coming of age at a time when digital technology is omnipresent, where devices are our constant companions, extensions of ourselves. It is not yet fully known what effect this mass consumption of digital technology will have on current and future generations. Although not entirely negative, dramatic shifts in human interaction and well-being have already presented themselves, begging understanding. Among these shifts are rising rates of youth struggling with mental health - especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Various international and domestic governing bodies highlight the importance of this burgeoning field of research, turning in part to our technology-loaded ecosystems for answers. Early research has established associations between increased digital screen usage and youth mental ill-health. Questions remain, however and there exist large gaps in counselling psychology research as to how we can best support youth in the digital age. Situated within this debate, the current study establishes a theoretical basis as to the role digital technology plays in youth mental health. The study employs a qualitative methodology, including semi-structured interviewing and thematic analysis. Eight youth were interviewed and asked to share their experiences of the relationship between their devices and their well-being. Thematic findings highlight a conflictual relationship between digital technology use and youth mental health, affecting their relationships with others, themselves, and the world around them. Because digital technology consumption on this scale is so new, this is one of the first available cohorts of youth to actively participate in the exploration of this topic, offering their unique voices in ways that will benefit broader societal understandings of technology and mental health.

Mental Health in the Digital Age, written by distinguished international experts, comprehensively examines the intersection between digital technology and mental health. It provides a state-of-the-art, evidence-based, and well-balanced review and is a valuable guide to an area often shrouded in controversy.

The nexus between the digital revolution and adolescent sexual behavior has posed significant challenges to mental health practitioners, attorneys, and educators. These digital technologies may facilitate dangerous behaviors and serious consequences for some youth. Adolescent Sexual Development in the Digital Age considers adolescent sexual behavior in both clinical and legal contexts and provides a basis for clinicians, legal professionals, educators, policy makers, parents and the general public to understand the impact that technology has on human growth and development. The book's contributing authors are leading authorities in adolescent development, law, and ethics, fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue within the text. New technology poses many opportunities for both normal and risky sexual behavior in youth; including "sexting," social networking, cyber-sexual harassment, commercial exploitation of children, and child pornography. Beyond just cataloging the various technologies impacting sexual behavior, this volume offers guidance and strategies for addressing the issues created by the digital age.

This second edition of this highly impactful book examines the intersection of mental health and digital technology to make informed decisions about the new options provided by digital technology. It highlights the rise in online therapy and social media and examines the ethical dilemmas involved in online research to suggest that the benefits created far outweigh the possible risks. This expanded and updated second edition, includes practical suggestions for clinicians and public, builds upon the first by updating readers on recent developments in technology and research in this area since 2015. It explores ways in which governments and practitioners responded to the mental health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and looks at the challenges as well as the benefits of our increasing interaction online.

Young people experience one of the highest rates of mental health problems of any group, but make the least use of the support available to them. To reach young people in distress, we need to understand what this digital generation want from mental health professionals and services. Based on interviews with nearly 400 young people, this book offers a vision of youth mental health issues and services through the eyes of young people themselves. It offers professionals important insights into the meaning of identity and agency for this generation and explores how these issues play out in young people’s expectations of mental health support. It shows how, despite young people’s immersion in digital technology, genuine and trusting relationships remain a key ingredient in their priorities for support. It considers what access to mental health support means for a generation who have grown up with the immediacy enabled by digital technology. Young people’s accounts also provide crucial insights into how they are using digital resources to manage their own mental health – in ways often not appreciated by professionals who design internet interventions. What Young People Want From Mental Health Services offers clear guidance to counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, youth workers, social workers, service providers and policymakers about how to work with youth and design their services so they are a better match for young people today. It contributes to a growing movement calling for a ‘Youth Informed Approach’ to mental health to address the needs of young people.

Mental Health in a Digital World addresses mental health assessments and interventions using digital technology, including mobile phones, wearable devices and related technologies. Sections discuss mental health data collection and analysis for purposes of assessment and treatment, including the use of electronic medical records and information technologies to improve services and research, the use of digital technologies to enhance communication, psychoeducation, screening for mental disorders, the problematic use of the internet, including internet gambling and gaming, cybersex and cyberchondria, and internet interventions, ranging from online psychotherapy to mobile phone apps and virtual reality adjuncts to psychotherapy. - Reviews research and applications of digital technology to mental health - Includes digital technologies for assessment, intervention, communication and education - Addresses data collection and analysis, service delivery and the therapeutic relationship - Discusses the E-related disorders that complicate digital intervention

In today's fast-paced digital world, where social media updates, news alerts, and a deluge of digital content vie for our attention, the profound impact on our mental well-being cannot be overstated. "Mindful Media: Navigating Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age" dives deep into the psychological effects of our digital habits, shedding light on issues such as anxiety, depression, and addiction that can stem from our relationship with media. Backed by extensive research, personal narratives, and expert insights, "Mindful Media" offers a nuanced understanding of how our digital behaviors can shape our mental health. This book provides practical strategies and actionable advice to empower readers to navigate their digital lives with greater mindfulness and intentionality. By fostering a conscious approach to media consumption, the book helps individuals reclaim control over their well-being in the digital age. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of cultivating a balanced digital environment that promotes mental health. Through compelling case studies and real-life examples, the book vividly illustrates how digital media can either harm or heal, depending on how it is utilized.

Are you worried about the relentless influence social media might be having on your child's mental health? Are you uncertain about how to support your child with the issues that social media can raise? What if you could empower yourself to help your child navigate the treacherous terrain of the digital world? In many ways, social media is an incredibly beneficial platform for young people. It is a place for them to express themselves, connect with others outside of school, and learn new skills and information. But there are disadvantages and dangers to social media, too, and these can have a significant impact on a young person's mental health. Perhaps you are worried that your child is experiencing these impacts, and you are searching for help understanding what they are going through and how to help them get back on the right track. If this sounds like you, Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health is a must-read. This book stands as a beacon of unwavering guidance for any parent or caregiver who desires to be equipped to minimize the impact of social media on their child's mental health. Here, you will learn more about the digital wilderness that we call social media to better understand how you can help your child navigate the online world safely, securely, and successfully. Through the compelling insights and real-life narratives provided in this book, you will learn all the skills you need to support your child while they're online and also prepare them to gain as many of the benefits as possible. Inside Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health, discover: A greater understanding of the social media landscape. The influence of social media on youth mental health. How to be a digital sherpa. The power of digital resilience. How to nurture online creativity and self-expression. Actionable steps to fostering digital citizenship in your child. How to find balance in the digital era. Don't let your child confront the dangers of social media on their own. Grab a copy of Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health today!

This timely issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, edited by Drs. Paul Weigle and Kristopher Kaliebe will focus on Internet Habits and Youth Mental Health. Topics discussed in the volume include, but are not limited to: Creation of a family media plan: how tech affects family dynamics and family therapy; Interplay between media habits and development from preschool through adolescence; Interplay between Autism and media habits; Interplay between Depression and media habits including online expression of suicidality and cutting; Interplay between Behaviorally disordered youth and media habits, including violent VG, cyberbullying; Eating disorders, obesity and online engagement; Internet Gaming Disorder (and tech addictions) Treatment; Sexting and online pornography engagement; Interplay between disadvantaged, gender non-conforming and minority youth and media habits; and Media sub-cultures and their intersection with mental illness.