CHILD WELL-BEING
Mental health disorders affect
1 in 5 children
We are in the midst of a growing youth mental health crisis. A global pandemic, isolation, lack of connection with peers, and social unrest have taken a heavy toll on adolescents in recent years. Youth mental health is critical to child well-being and is influenced by many factors – sleep, movement, time spent outdoors, nutrition, and, foremost among them, media and tech. COVID-19 revealed the integrated nature of media and technology in every aspect of our society, from schools to social connections to public health communication. They are public utilities and social safety nets. Data and research have also opened our eyes to the harm technology, and media pose for youth and opportunities to build platforms and networks for the public good. Raising children in today’s complex and technology-driven world has become a source of stress and concern for many parents and caregivers as they struggle to balance the necessity of tech with the risks for their kids. California is home to Hollywood and Silicon Valley, two power centers primarily responsible for the media and technology our children consume. CPP is dedicated to ensuring that our state’s largest industries help us meet this moment by recognizing their responsibilities and developing platforms and content with child well-being at the center.
In partnership with values-aligned organizations, CPP supports youth and families by engaging with research, creating tools and resources, convening conversations, and elevating and celebrating diverse stories. In addition, we bring the concerns and expertise of parents, educators, youth, and health professionals into a statewide discussion. CPP also clarifies and communicates warning signs and best practices around child well-being with key audiences and networks.
3 out of 20
In 2022, 3 out of 20 youths (age 12-17) report suffering from at least one major depressive episode in the past year
12%
In 2020, 12% of U.S. children ages 3 to 17 were reported as having ever experienced anxiety or depression, up from 9% in 2016
9hrs
On average, teens are online almost nine hours a day, not including time for homework
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom kicked off a six month statewide Listening Tour consisting of intimate conversations with mothers sharing their struggles of parenting and experiences of balancing caregiving for the family, increasing household responsibilities and navigating digital reliance. These open and frank conversations provided insights for concrete tips for Responsive Toolkits. Expert pediatricians, educators, fitness trainers and mental health providers offered recommendations for topics and practical strategies parents can apply in their household.
“The Inner Pandemic” is a multipart Times project that explores adolescent mental health.
The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021
Dr. Carrie James and Dr. Emily Weinstein are Principal Investigators at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where they have worked for over a decade leading research about youth and technology. Their projects focus on the ways social media shapes adolescents’ everyday lives, including well-being, civic participation, ethics, and family life
Join Action for Healthy Kids for the 2022 National Conference on Child Health and Well-Being: Real Talk. Real Solutions!
