Advocacy Corner: Improving our Youth’s Mental Health with Responsible Social Media and Technology Use

Welcome to Advocacy Corner, a monthly series of nonpartisan advocacy posts by the Natrona Collective Health Trust, aimed at advancing our mission of improving the health of Natrona County residents. Each month, we explore key issues that impact community well-being, providing insights and information to empower residents. If you have a topic suggestion or question, please reach out to Rachel Bouzis, Director of Policy & Learning.

As students across Natrona County head back to school this month, many parents are breathing a sigh of relief as summer chaos transitions into school-year routines. But amid the excitement of new backpacks and freshly sharpened pencils, we must focus on something equally important: the mental health and well-being of our youth. Natrona County’s future depends on more than just academic success—it hinges on the health, safety and emotional stability of our kids as they navigate the unique challenges of this digital age.

In the wake of two horrific murders last spring in Casper and yet another mass shooting already at a Georgia high school, the shadow of tragedy looms large over classrooms this year. In Wyoming, suicide remains pervasive with suicide rates among 15–19-year-olds more than double the national rate. Our youth are facing a mental health crisis, and they’re surrounded by the unregulated influence of social media in our increasingly online world.

The harmful effects of social media on young people are well-documented, with links to increased rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, cyberbullying, substance use and other serious health issues. According to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 42 percent of young people reported experiencing “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” in 2021, up drastically from 28 percent just ten years earlier.

This community is long overdue in addressing these issues. At its best, social media can foster peer support and connection, but the negative consequences are too severe to keep ignoring. Our inaction is putting our kids in danger. Platforms that enable cyberbullying, harassment, and exposure to harmful content create environments where youth are vulnerable to emotional and psychological trauma; nearly half of U.S. teens have experienced cyberbullying, according to the Pew Research Center. This level of harm is unacceptable.

To strengthen supports for youth mental health, the Trust recommends several key actions to better protect our children from the harmful effects of social media. First, we encourage parents to take an active role in managing their children’s online habits. Research shows a direct link between parental social media use and the mental health of their kids, particularly around depression and anxiety. Parents should know if their tweens and young teens have social media accounts and engage in conversations about online safety, privacy and time management. Setting a good example with balanced online habits can go a long way, and there are many valuable resources available to guide these conversations.

On a policy level, the Trust advocates for a district-wide block of social media sites on school networks. Wyoming should also follow in the footsteps of states like New York and Utah by requiring social media companies to restrict addictive content feeds for users under 18 without parental consent. Policies that limit overnight notifications and hold companies accountable for adverse health outcomes linked to excessive social media use would be a vital step toward safeguarding our youth. These combined efforts are essential to fostering a healthier, safer environment online and offline.

As we move forward, we urge local leaders, educators, parents and policymakers to take this issue seriously. Our youth deserve better, and by taking action now, we can prevent further tragedies and ensure that the future of Natrona County is one where our children grow up healthy, safe and supported.

In the weeks and months ahead, let’s remember that success is not only defined by academic achievement but also by mental and emotional well-being. It’s an essential back-to-school lesson for all of us.