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Expert Guidance on Social Media & Student Well-Being

Students are spending nearly 5 hours a day on social media, and school leaders must be aware of the impact: anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and even suicide risk.

In this practical guide, nationally recognized school psychologist Dr. Scott Poland offers clear strategies to help K–12 leaders understand what’s happening, support staff and families, and create a culture that puts connection first.

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What Role Does Social Media Play in Mental Health

Today's students are online more than ever, and schools are seeing the consequences. Dr. Poland explores how social media, screen time, and digital pressure are fueling rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation—and what educators can do in response.

The State of Youth Mental Health

According to the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

  • 40% of high schoolers reported feeling hopeless or persistently sad for at least two weeks
  • 50% of high school girls reported feeling hopeless or persistently sad for two weeks
  • Nearly 1 in 3 boys also reported signficant symptoms of depression

The Data Tells the Story

School safety requires a proactive, collaborative approach that involves training, tools, and technology. Provided in partnership with 911Cellular, Navigate360's panic buttons and emergency management platform are designed specifically to help Alabama schools respond to and recover from events with speed, precision, and efficiency. 

silent-panic-alarms

Be Proactive in Protecting Your School Community

Earlier this year, Alabama introduced legislation requiring schools to provide school employees training for and access to a mobile emergency rapid response system. The bill, HB234, requires employees to have a device that links directly to law enforcement to speed the response time in an emergency. If passed, the law becomes effective October 1, 2025, and stipulates compliance by October 1, 2030.

The law is modeled after Alyssa’s Law, already enacted in other states. Alyssa’s Law is named for 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.

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4.8 hours

Average daily social media use among U.S. teens

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41%

High-use social media teens who report poor or very poor mental health

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60%

The percentage of poor mental health among heavy users with low parental support

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18,000+

Suicide prevention cases opened in Navigate360 Behavioral Case Manager platform last year

Prefer a quick visual overview? Download the infographic to see the data at a glance.

What You’ll Learn

  • Why screen time matters—and when it becomes harmful
  • How digital habits disrupt sleep, relationships, and resilience
  • What schools, parents, and students can do to reclaim balance
  • Strategies to address cyberbullying, online predators, and algorithm-driven harm
  • Actionable tools that help identify risk early and support student well-being
GET THE FREE EBOOK		 ebook preview

From Screen Time to Support: Practical Answers for Schools

This isn't just another report-it's a clear-eyed roadmap for school leaders who want to address the mental health challenges fueled by social media.

Get answers to questions like:

  • How much screen time is too much?
  • What can staff do to model better balance?
  • How can schools respond without banning phones altogether?

Get the Free eBook

Download your copy today to get role-specific guidance for schools, parents, and students—plus a screen time guide and proven tools to prevent risk and build success.
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