LOS ANGELES, CA (June 24, 2024) – In the wake of escalating concerns regarding youth mental health and the adverse impact of social media, Amico has released compelling new data from two participating districts in their recent program. The findings highlight the effectiveness of Amico Health's intervention in combating a critical mental health issue affecting today's youth.
Introduction
Amico Health's program targets the negative effects of social media and excessive screen time, issues recently underscored by the U.S. Surgeon General as detrimental to youth mental health. By fostering healthier social media habits and promoting positive self-image, Amico Health aims to mitigate these challenges.
Key Findings
The study, conducted by Amico Health in collaboration with Dr. Davide Marengo from the Department of Psychology at the University of Turin, employed a pretest-posttest design to measure the program's impact over approximately 20 days. Significant outcomes included:
- Reduction in Screen Time: The program led to a substantial decrease in screen time, addressing a major factor in youth mental health issues identified by the U.S. Surgeon General.
- Improvement in Digital Wellness Literacy: Students enhanced their ability to navigate online safety, recognize misinformation, and understand social media's effects on mental health.
- Decrease in Social Comparison: The tendency for students to compare themselves to others on social media was significantly reduced.
- Enhanced Body Image: Students reported increased positive feelings about their appearance.
All of the above results had effect sizes of 0.15 or greater, indicating the program's efficacy in reducing harmful social media behaviors and promoting better mental health among students.
A closer look at the results shows a decrease in screen time usage among the extreme users who are often most at risk of mental health issues:
Source: Davide Marengo, PhD, Data Analysis
Recommendations for Action
Based on these promising results, Amico Health advocates for the adoption of high-quality, data-driven interventions that require minimal time commitment yet yield significant benefits. The findings suggest that a multi-session program delivered by trained facilitators can achieve remarkable outcomes, in contrast to one-time presentations or overly extensive curricula.
About Amico Health
Amico Health is committed to addressing youth mental health challenges through innovative and effective programs that promote digital wellness. For more information about Amico Health's programs and their impact, visit www.amico.health.
