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Almost 300 people from ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç and the wider community gathered atÌýLeighton Hall on May 21, for a thought-provoking event exploring how digital technology is shaping the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.Ìý

Hosted by ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Medicine & Health and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Science, this timely panel discussion — Growing Up Digital: How Technology is Shaping Young Minds —Ìýbrought together leading psychologists, psychiatrists, and industry experts to unpack the complex relationship between young people and digital technology. The discussion was expertly moderated by award-winning journalist and host of ABC’s All in the Mind, Sana Qadar.Ìý

The panel delved into the science behind addictive digital design, the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders, and the real-world impacts of online behaviour. They also discussed the looming social media ban for under 16s in Australia, explored the role artificial intelligence could play in mental health support, and the risks that come with it, as well as the need for a clearer roadmap for mental health care pathways.Ìý

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Importantly, the panel also highlighted how technology is being used to support young people — from early interventions to innovative digital tools that improve access to mental health care.

The panel featured Scientia Professor Valsamma Eapen, Chair of Child Psychiatry at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç and Clinical Academic at South-Western Sydney, Associate Professor Alexis Whitton, Co-Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Depression Treatment Precision at the , Scientia Associate Professor Susanne Schweizer, ARC DECRA Fellow at the School of Psychology, and Jesse Waller, Co-Founder and CEO of .

Their discussion highlighted steps parents, educators and policymakers could take to ensure young people are supported, not overwhelmed, by the digital world they are growing up in. They urged parents to engage in openÌýdialogue with their children about their digital lives, to understand what platforms they are using and act as a curious ally rather than a strict enforcer limiting their use of technology and social media.

A/Prof.ÌýSchweizer highlighted that whileÌýchildren model much of their social behaviour on the actions of their parents, they're not given the same opportunities to learn from their online behaviours.

"They watch us interact with the world around us, they see how we interact with other people constantly [in the real world] ...Ìý but that's not the case in digital environments," she said. "They don't see our text messages, or our WhatsApp chats. They're not part of that behaviour that we engage in, so there's no modelling happening there."

"That education piece that just happens naturally, organically, for in-person interactions, has to be done much more explicitly when it comes to how we interact online."

TheÌýpanellists also called for more ethical technology design to ensure digital products are health-promoting.

"We've spoken a lot here today about how certain technology is addictive, is hijacking young people's thinking and their brains. But that's a design choice, and we can choose differently," said A/Prof. Whitton.Ìý

"There's no reason we can't design products that are health promoting and that work and complement the way that young people think, learn and grow, to foster their curiosity rather than capture their attention. We really do need to be looking at how these principles can be put into place in an environment where profit driven companies are the most powerful players."

Following the panel, guests had the opportunity to network and explore interactive activations from the Black Dog Institute, InnerSteps, and ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼǒs Immersive Technologies, all showcasing innovative approaches to mental health and wellbeing.Ìý

For those who may have missed it, or would like to listen to the discussion again, the recording is now available for you to download, watch and share with your friends, family, and colleagues.