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ForwardOctober 15, 2026: Michael S. Jellinek, M.D., Lecture in Child Psychiatry - Technology, Social Media, AI, and Adolescent Mental Health (Northern)
Technology, Social Media, AI, and Adolescent Mental Health
Description:
In this talk, we deconstruct the psychological science on youths’ technology and social media use so you can understand the questions scientists are asking, what we have found, what it means for youth today, and what you can do to help. Using theories and methods from developmental cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychopathology, this work seeks to understand how adolescents’ social media use may confer benefits to psychological, social, and neural development (Angelini & Gini, 2024; Armstrong-Carter & Telzer, 2021; Maheux et al., 2025; Zhou & Cheng, 2022). We use longitudinal methods, experience sampling, and fMRI scans to examine questions regarding topics such as social media addiction, associations between technology use and mood, digital stress, the effects of social media on lost social opportunities, peer influence processes via social media, and the manner in which social media use may be associated with brain development in adolescence (Flannery et al., 2024; Maza et al., 2023; Nesi et al., 2018; Nesi & Prinstein, 2019). The results are sometimes frightening, but there is some hope, especially if parents, educators, and policymakers take action now.
Target Audience
This program is intended for:
- Nurses
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Physicians
- Social Workers
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the activity, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the potential effects of digital media use on neural development.
- List up to 10 different ways that technology use may influence psychological adaptation.
- Describe concrete strategies to enhance development with social media and protect children from its risks.
SPEAKER(S)
Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., ABPP
John Van Seters, Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Co-Director of the Winston Center for Technology & Brain Development,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Senior Science Advisor, American Psychological Association
Course summary
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital. IHP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
IHP designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Nursing Contact Hours
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.
This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 1.00 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit. Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.
- 1.00 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.
- 1.00 Psychologists CE Credit
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.00 CE credit.
Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., ABPP
For over 25 years, and with continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Prinstein’s research has examined interpersonal models of internalizing symptoms and health risk behaviors among adolescents, with a specific focus on the unique role of off- and online peer relationships in the developmental psychopathology of depression and self-injury. He is a board-certified clinical psychologist and has published over 250 scientific manuscripts and 12 books.
Dr. Prinstein has advised/consulted with numerous government agencies (e.g., White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Centers for Disease Control, Federal Trade Commission, US Surgeon General’s Office, US Supreme Court), international agencies (e.g., Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Economic Forum, World Health Organization), nonprofits (e.g., Common Sense Media, The National PTA), institutes (e.g., National Institute of Mental Health, National Academies of Science), as well as for-profit industries (e.g., Google, Apple, Johnson & Johnson) and the entertainment industry (e.g., David E. Kelley Productions, Impact Guild).
At the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Prinstein served as the Chief Science Officer and then the Chief of Psychology. As Chief Science Officer, Dr. Prinstein was responsible for leading the association’s science agenda and advocating for the application of psychological research and knowledge in settings including academia, government, industry, and the law. As Chief of Psychology, Dr. Prinstein led the integration of APA’s work in science, practice, education, and applied psychology. Prior to APA, Dr. Prinstein served as the Director of Clinical Psychology at UNC and Yale University, the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Assistant Dean for Honors Carolina.
Dr. Prinstein is regularly featured as an expert in psychological science. He has testified before the US Senate as a repeat witness, delivered two TEDx talks, and made hundreds of media appearances around the world in outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, 60 Minutes, the Times (UK), and CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC.
Disclosures:
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of IHP and Massachusetts General Hospital. IHP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
IHP designates this Enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Nursing Contact Hours
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 13, sections 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 15D and Chapter 112, sections 74 through 81C authorize the Board of Registration in Nursing to regulate nursing practice and education.
This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (244 CMR 5.00) for 1.00 contact hours of nursing continuing education credit. Advance practice nurses, please note: Educational activities which meet the requirements of the ACCME (such as this activity) count towards 50% of the nursing requirement for ANCC accreditation.
- 1.00 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.
- 1.00 Psychologists CE Credit
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.00 CE credit.
Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, MGH Institute of Health Professions is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
1.0 Physicians
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.
1.0 Physician Associates/Assistants
AAPA Credit Designation Statement – Live
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
AAPA Credit Designation Statement – Enduring Materials
MGH Institute of Health Professions has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until {Expiration Date). PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
1.0 Nursing
MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 contact hours for nurses. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
1.0 Pharmacists
This activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing education credit.
NOTE FOR PHARMACISTS: Upon closing of the electronic evaluation, IHP will upload the pharmacy-related continuing education information to the CPE Monitor within 60 days. Per ACPE rules, IHP does not have access nor the ability to upload credits requested after the evaluation closes. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide the correct information [NABP ePID and DOB (in MMDD format)] in order to receive credit for participating in a CE activity.
1.0 Psychologists:
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 CE credit.
1.0 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 clock hours for continuing education credits.
1.0 IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.