Social media can be a powerful tool for sharing information and building connections. However, it also carries risks that can negatively impact young people’s mental well-being. In California—particularly in the Bay Area—concerns have grown about harmful digital content, insufficient protections for teens, and the broader implications for youth mental health. 

 

To address these challenges, The Social Changery worked with a coalition of partners to host a press conference focused on the mental health impacts of social media messaging for California youth. The event aimed to both celebrate the passing of AB2273, an important legislative step in protecting youth from harmful messaging on social media channels, and also bring attention to the significant consequences that social media continues to have on young people's well-being. This served to gather the stakeholders necessary to create real change in the social media landscape and demand action for our youth.

 

The event was at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, CA, as part of Mental Health Matters Day organized by Mental Health America California, and was a collaborative effort with various organizations including Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), California Partners Project (CPP), California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN), and Mental Health America of California (MHAC).

You can read more about the press conference on news sites CBS, ED Source, KCRA, Spectrum News, and The Know.