While social media may offer some benefits, there are ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95 percent of young people ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.” Usage of social media can become harmful depending on the amount of time children spend on the platforms, the type of content they consume or are otherwise exposed to, and the degree to which it disrupts activities that are essential for health like sleep and physical activity. Importantly, different children are affected by social media in different ways, including based on cultural, historical, and socioeconomic factors. Among the benefits, adolescents report that social media helps them feel more accepted (58%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), like they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives (80%).

However, social media use can be excessive and problematic for some children. Recent research shows that adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety; yet one 2021 survey of teenagers found that, on average, they spend 3.5 hours a day on social media. Studies have also shown a relationship between social media use and poor sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, sleep difficulties, and depression among youth.

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s commitments outlined within the White House Fact Sheet on Actions to Protect Youth Mental Health, Safety & Privacy Online, the Office of Educational Technology and Office of Safe and Supportive Schools coordinated with other federal agency partners to compile best practice resources to assist parents and caregivers in protecting the privacy, health, and safety of their children online. This website is a resource for school districts and families looking for relevant, useful resources from across the U.S. federal government on key topics related to digital health, safety, and citizenship.

Learn how this topic connects with the school emergency operations plan: Cyber Safety Click and Go.

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Count: 89
Being Tech-Smart

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Students;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Teaching Tool
Provides a facilitator's guide, fact sheets, handouts, scenarios, and other resources for educators to help middle school and high school youth consider digital technology use, online safety, and mental and emotional health.

Beyond the Post: Leveraging the Power of Social Media to Connect With Youth and Other Stakeholders

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Family and Relationships; Social Media;  Adult Training Tool
Advises the Personal Responsibility Education Program on how to develop social media content, manage social media accounts, use paid media to expand reach, and involve youth in the planning process to build buy-in for their programs.

Digital Citizenship for Youth With IDD

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Digital Citizenship; Diversity and Inclusion; Family and Relationships; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Teaching Tool
Offers interactive lessons to teach youth ages 10-21 with mild-to-moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities to protect themselves online and identify healthy/unhealthy online relationships.

Mental Health and Well-Being Facilitator's Guide

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Teaching Tool
Provides leaders with information to use to help middle school and high school youth improve their health and well-being.

Roller Coaster Relationships, Romance, and Destiny: Media Messages in the Real World Facilitator's Guide

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Digital Citizenship; Family and Relationships;  Teaching Tool
Helps middle school and high school youth identify the media's messages related to sex, dating, and relationships so that they can develop their own ideas and values and choose healthy relationship behaviors.

Supporting Your Teen's Mental Health: Tips for Parents

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
K-12;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Publication
Provides information and recommendations for parents and caregivers to support and address youth mental health challenges.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices;  Web Page
Provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress; prevention resources; and best practices for professionals.

Beyond Halal and Haram: Muslims, Sex, and Relationships

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
High School; Higher Ed; K-12;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Diversity and Inclusion; Family and Relationships; Social Media;  Audio/Visual/Print Media; Publication
Lists healthy relationships and sex conversation starters for health care providers, counselors, social workers, mentors, and other adults who work with Muslim high school and college-aged youth. Students can also use the card to help their friends and consider cultural and religious factors in their decision-making.

Bullying/Cyberbullying

U.S. Department of Education
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Cyberbullying;  Web Page
Outlines features of bullying and cyberbullying and describes warning signs of bullying and cyberbullying in K-12 learning environments.

Cyber Tipline

U.S. Department of Justice
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Online Harassment and Abuse;  Web Page
Provides a platform for reporting child sexual exploitation via online form or phone.

Home Visitation

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Elementary School; K-12; Middle School; High School;  Community Partners; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Provides information and resources regarding home visitation programs to support domestic violence clients.

Internet Crime Report 2023

U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Compliant Center
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Publication
Outlines cybersecurity trends and cyber matters impacting the public. The statistic sets do not contain explanatory information but do provide possible directions for research efforts (i.e., 2023 cyber crimes against children, trends by state, and associated monetary losses). Administrators, community partners, network administrators, and IT personnel can use the data sets to help predict and prevent cyberattacks in K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.

National Center to Advance Peace for Children, Youth, and Families

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Diversity and Inclusion; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Provides information and resources on protecting children from domestic violence while taking into account the intersection of complex legal, culture, and psychological dynamics.

National Health Initiative on Violence and Abuse

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Family and Relationships; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices;  Web Page; Adult Training Tool
Outlines the trainings and technical assistance that are available to support the programs and health care providers that respond to domestic violence.

NetSmartz

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Social Media;  Teaching Tool; Web Page
Provides presentations, tip sheets, classroom activities, and age-appropriate videos to help parents, educators, and law enforcement officers teach students how to improve online safety habits and develop awareness of online risks.

NetSmartz: Stopping Sextortion

U.S. Department of Justice
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Web Page
Shares videos and resources for students about sexting, sextortion, and cyber safety.

Protecting K-12 Schools: Improving K-12 Cybersecurity: First Steps

The White House
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices; Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Outlines White House measures to combat K-12 cyber threats and provides recommendations for schools to instate protective domain name service.

Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States

The White House
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners;  Privacy and Security;  Publication
Assesses the nation's strategies for addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the current cyber landscape. Understanding evolving cyber risks and concerns can help school administrators and community leaders make action-based decisions for their schools and school districts.

Trauma Informed Reporting of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Family and Relationships;  Publication
Provides information, a sample script, and talking points on trauma-informed reporting for child abuse in homes with domestic violence.

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study: News

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Elementary School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Web Page
Lists articles exploring relations between adolescent behavioral and mental development and digital media use.

World Bullying Prevention Month: Cyberbullying

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, National Runaway Safeline
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Cyberbullying;  Web Page
Provides parents with information and strategies to look for evidence of cyberbullying.

Project iGuardian

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Teaching Tool
Provides information, safety tips, a tipline, and other resources to help prevent cyber threats and improve cyber safety.

Know2Protect

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Offers information on preventing and responding to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Fast Facts: Preventing Bullying

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Cyberbullying; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Offers information and visuals to define bullying, explore its scope, and provide suggestions for adults to increase prevention.

A Longitudinal Study Investigating TDM and Adolescent Health and Development: Brain, Behavior and Well-Being (Project Number 5P01HD109850-02)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Diversity and Inclusion; Social Media;  Research
Explores how technology and digital media (TDM) exposure and usage affect adolescent developmental domains and outcomes. The study involves three projects: Project 1 (using TDM to explore mechanisms in adolescent health and risk behavior), Project 2 (using functional magnetic resonance imaging to understand how positive and negative TDM experiences relate to mental and behavioral health), and Project 3 (using mixed-methods to evaluate self- and other-generated TDM content as predictors of socioemotional well-being in sexual and gender minority [SGM] and non-SGM youth).

Predictors of Problematic Media Use in Middle Childhood: Project M.E.D.I.A.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Elementary School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development;  Research
Explores trajectories of problematic and healthy media use in middle childhood development to determine relations between parenting, content, and problematic media use as well as relations between behavioral outcomes and the transactional nature of problematic media use.

Using Mixed Methods to Evaluate Self- and Other-Generated TDM Content as Predictors of Socioemotional Well-Being in Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) and Non-SGM Adolescents

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Diversity and Inclusion; Social Media;  Research
Explores how social media activities (content-creation and consumption) affect socioemotional well-being in sexual and gender minority adolescents.

Heads Up: Stop. Think. Connect.

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Web Page
Provides students with information about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and avoiding online risks so that they can safely socialize online.

Heads Up: Stop. Think. Connect. (Spanish)

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Web Page
Provides students with information in Spanish about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and avoiding online risks so that they can safely socialize online.

Heads Up: Stop. Think. Connect. Booklet

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Audio/Visual/Print Media; Publication
Provides kids with information about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and avoiding online risks so that they can safely socialize online.

Heads Up: Stop. Think. Connect. Booklet (Spanish)

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Audio/Visual/Print Media; Publication
Provides kids with information in Spanish about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and avoiding online risks so that they can safely socialize online.

StopBullying.Gov

U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying; Diversity and Inclusion; Online Harassment and Abuse; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices; Social Media;  Web Page
Provides adults with information and resources to use to help stop and prevent kids from engaging in bullying behavior.

Origins and Outcomes of Smartphone and Social Media Habits Across Development Supplement

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Social Media;  Research
Investigates how digital media habits and social sensitivity may impact memory and experienced events at different stages of development. The study also considers how differences in motivation and social sensitivity may impact these areas.

Spotlight: Smartphone App May Help Detect Child Abuse Early

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood;  Community Partners;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Introduces the Lurie Children's Child Injury Plausibility Assessment Support Tool mobile application and its ability to help health care providers recognize early signs of physical abuse.

Online Safety Resources

Federal School Safety Clearinghouse
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Cyberbullying; Privacy and Security;  Publication
Provides a list of resources that schools and families can use to help protect against online threats. It also includes a list of suggestions of how parents and guardians, school communities, and youth themselves can avoid online abuse and exploitation.

Keeping Children Safe Online

U.S. Department of Justice
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Presents practical tips for internet use, privacy settings, and personal boundaries to help protect children from cyber threat actors.

The Pros and Cons of Screen Use — Findings From the ABCD Study

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Elementary School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Cyberbullying ;  Adult Training Tool
Explores the findings of the National Institutes of Health's Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Diversity and Inclusion; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Houses a set of survey data tracking health-related behaviors that can lead to negative outcomes for high school students.

Technology Use and Emerging Executive Functioning in Early Childhood

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood;  Community Partners;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Explores how mobile media use of parents and young children predicts alterations in child executive functioning from 2-4 years and the impact of sex or stressors.

Role of Social, Behavioral, and Ecological Processes in Dating Violence

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Family and Relationships; Social Media;  Research
Investigates real-time emergence of adolescent dating aggression by exploring online social networking data, smartphone assessments, and computer-based assessments.

The Pros and Cons of Screen Use

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Elementary School; K-12; Middle School;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Cyberbullying ;  Publication
Summarizes findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study that revealed both positive and negative association of screen use for preteens.

Understanding How Digital Media Affects Child Development

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood;  Community Partners; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Shares recent findings and research efforts on the relationships between technology/digital media use, parent involvement, and child development.

Cyber Safety Video Series

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Digital Citizenship; Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Web Page
Shares short videos on topics such as multifactor authentication, internet-of-things, social media safety, ransomware, phishing, password development, and online gaming and video call safety.

Family-Centered Toolkit for Domestic Violence Programs

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Early Childhood; Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Family and Relationships;  Adult Training Tool; Publication
Provides a step-by-step guide for caregivers, children, and families experiencing domestic violence.

Love Is Respect: Safety Online

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Family and Relationships; Online Harassment and Abuse; Social Media;  Web Page
Provides students with tips for online safety as well as a live chat and welcoming environment to engage information about and receive help in developing healthy relationships and personal safety.

Technology and Youth: Protecting Your Child From Electronic Aggression Tip Sheet

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Cyberbullying; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Publication
Provides suggestions for parents and caregivers to help mitigate the risk of their child becoming the victim of electronic aggression.

Training, Technical Assistance, Consultation, Capacity Building

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Early Childhood; Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Offers trauma-informed trainings, information, and technical assistance for domestic and sexual violence, substance use, and other topics.

Video Gaming and Violence Prevention: CDC Study Findings

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; Higher Ed; K-12;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying;  Audio/Visual/Print Media
Provides a secondary analysis of 2021 Spring ConsumerStyles online panel survey data that examines adults who self-identify/do not self-identify as "gamers" and their positive and negative associations with connectedness and cyberbullying victimization.

Adolescent Sexting, Violence, and Sexual Behaviors: An Analysis of 2014 and 2016 Pennsylvania Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Family and Relationships; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Research
Examines the relationship between high school student sexual violence victimization experience and experience of receiving sexts. Findings show a significantly higher prevalence of sexting among students who engage in more sexual risk behaviors.

4 Things You Can Do to Keep Yourself Cyber Safe

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Higher Ed; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Provides tips to improve personal cyber safety posture.

A Social-Ecological Approach to Modeling Sense of Virtual Community (SOVC) in Livestreaming Communities

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Higher Ed;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Social Media;  Research
Examines relationships and implications between social ecology and individual user's senses of belonging and well-being.

Resources for Action: Violence Prevention Technical Packages

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Early Childhood; Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Publication; Web Page
Provides resources for preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences, child abuse and neglect, violence, and suicide.

Child Media Use During COVID-19: Associations With Contextual and Social-Emotional Factors

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Elementary School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Outlines a study conducted to test digital media use associations with contextual factors and elementary school children's social-emotional and sleep outcomes during COVID-19. Results suggested that lower parenting stress predicted more digital media use.

A Longitudinal Study Investigating TDM and Adolescent Health and Development: Brain, Behavior and Well-Being (Project Number 1P01HD109850-01)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Social Media;  Research
Explores relationships between social media, brain activity, health, well-being, and behaviors in adolescents.

Growing Up in a Digital World: A Synergistic Approach to Understanding Media Use in Children Ages 1-8 Years

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood; Elementary School; K-12;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Research
Explores the context, content, and use of digital media in families with young children in association with emotional regulation and social competence.

Leveraging Passive Objective Assessment Methods of Preschooler's Media Use to Examine Multiple Paths of Influence on Sleep, Executive Function, and Weight Status

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development;  Research
Explores relations between technology and digital media usage and developmental and health outcomes for preschoolers. The study integrates FLASH-TV technology with multiple assessment methods to investigate executive function skills, sleep patterns, weight, and parenting behaviors in the study's cohort.

Protecting Kids Online

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Provides families, parents, and guardians with information, guidance, and resources for talking with their children about online safety.

Protecting Kids Online (Spanish)

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security;  Web Page
Provides families, parents, and guardians with information, guidance, and resources in Spanish for talking with their children about online safety.

You Matter' (Teen ACEs) Safety Card

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Audio/Visual/Print Media; Publication
Provides adolescents with information on how adverse childhood experiences, chronic stress, and abusive relationships may impact their health and well-being.

Addressing Online Harassment and Abuse in Technology-Facilitated Human Trafficking

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Trafficking in Persons
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Publication
Provides data, information, and resources about technology misuse by human traffickers and the increase of technology-facilitated child trafficking.

Technology-Facilitated Human Trafficking

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Trafficking in Persons
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Online Harassment and Abuse; Social Media;  Publication
Shares infographic with data and information from the National Human Trafficking Hotline on how traffickers use technology, the Internet, and social media for human trafficking and online abuse.

Technology's Complicated Relationship With Human Trafficking

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Trafficking in Persons
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Online Harassment and Abuse; Social Media;  Web Page
Shares data and information from the National Human Trafficking Hotline on how traffickers use technology for human trafficking and online abuse. This resource also provides information on existing public health measures, collaborations, and preventions against online violence.

Violence Prevention: School-Based Anti-Bullying Interventions

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Cyberbullying;  Publication
Provides information regarding implementation issues, benefits, harms, and evidence gaps provided in the Community Preventive Services Task Force Finding and Rationale Statement (includes online factors).

Injury Prevention Activities in US Schools, School Health Policies and Practices Survey 2014

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices;  Research
Explores the degree to which schools promote injury and violence prevention by exploring injury- and violence-related policies and practices using data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study.

"I Did It Without Hesitation. Am I the Bad Guy?": Online Conversations in Response to Controversial In-Game Violence

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Examines 10 themes representing complexity in video game player experiences and the promise of video games' provision of reflective spaces for violence prevention.

Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Cyberbullying;  Research
Considers data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences survey to explore U.S. high school students' suicidality and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also explores possible relations between mental health, suicidality, and feelings of closeness to persons at school/connection to others during the pandemic (includes virtual connection).

Parents' Self-Reported Changes in Concern About Children's Bullying — Fall ConsumerStyles and Estilos Surveys, United States 2020

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Cyberbullying; Family and Relationships;  Research
Considers U.S. parents and caregivers' self-reported changes in concern over bullying during Fall 2020 compared to the prior year. Findings suggest that racism is a key factor in bullying, and parents were less concerned about bullying on school campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fall 2020 when their children were not physically at school.

Helping Youth Navigate Dangers in the Digital Age Webinar

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Digital Citizenship; Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Cyberbullying; Online Harassment and Abuse; Privacy and Security; Social Media;  Adult Training Tool
Supports school communities in identifying and differentiating between online dangers, building resiliency against extremist hate groups, and applying tools and resources to help youth identify misinformation.

Bullying and Cyberbullying: Create a Safer School Environment by Addressing Bullying and Cyberbullying

U.S. Department of Education; U.S. Department of Justice; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Cyberbullying;  Web Page
Features resources on bullying and cyberbullying to help protect students from becoming the victims of bullying or cyberbullying at school.

Connected Parents, Connected Kids Safety Card

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
Early Childhood; Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Family and Relationships;  Audio/Visual/Print Media; Publication
Provides health care providers, community-based providers, and parents with information on preventing intergenerational transmission of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Mental Health and Social Media Quiz

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Social Media;  Teaching Tool; Web Page
Offers quiz that helps students assess the impact of their personal social media habits.

We Think Twice™

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Family and Relationships;  Web Page
Provides engaging content on mental health, leadership, goal setting, college and employment, and healthy relationships to help 13- to 19-year-old youth feel empowered to make healthy decisions.

Association of Online Risk Factors With Subsequent Youth Suicide-Related Behaviors in the US

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Cyberbullying; Digital Citizenship; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Research
Considers associations between online activity and suicide-related behavior in youth. Adolescents with multiple types of online risk factors demonstrate the greatest risk.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Observed Adolescent Text-Based Sexting and Adjustment

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Family and Relationships; Online Harassment and Abuse;  Research
Examines longitudinal relations between text-based sexting and social adjustment. Research suggested a relationship between higher sexting and psychosocial problems among girls.

Impact of Technology Digital Media (TDM) Exposure/Usage on Child and Adolescent Development (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Early Childhood; Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development;  Research
Invites applicants to explore the impact of technology and digital media usage on health and development outcomes in individuals ages birth-8 and ages 9-17. The announcement presents application deadlines, instructions, and scope.

Resilience Series Bug Bytes

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians; Students;  Digital Citizenship; Privacy and Security;  Teaching Tool
Depicts the risks and dangers of social media threat actors.

Preventing Bullying Fact Sheet

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Cyberbullying;  Publication
Provides information and graphics to define bullying, explore its scope, and provide suggestions for prevention.

School Leader Digital Learning Guide

U.S. Department of Education
K-12;  Administrators;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Digital Citizenship; Privacy and Security;  Publication
Presents information, resources, and recommendations for school leaders to adapt learning programs to support digital learning under an array of circumstances.

Teacher Digital Learning Guide

U.S. Department of Education
K-12;  Educators, Teachers, and Faculty;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Digital Citizenship; Privacy and Security;  Publication
Presents information, resources, and recommendations for teachers to implement digital learning under an array of circumstances.

Let's Talk: Runaway Prevention Curriculum

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Students;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Digital Citizenship; Family and Relationships;  Teaching Tool
Offers a free, 14-module curriculum that educates youth ages 10-20 on alternatives to running away, unsafe behaviors, and how to build life skills that can resolve problems. It includes the module "Internet Safety and Fun," which provides youth with tools for safe online behavior.

The Paradox of Interactive Media: The Potential for Video Games and Virtual Reality as Tools for Violence Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Elementary School; High School; Higher Ed; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Considers ways in which interactive media violence can lower the likelihood of real-world violence experiences. Draws from recent developments in media theory, research, and practices.

Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide

U.S. Department of Education
K-12;  Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Digital Citizenship; Family and Relationships; Privacy and Security;  Publication
Presents parents and caregivers with principles for digital learning and digital tools so that they can support their students in digital learning environments.

Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development;  Research
Provides organized data regarding suicidal ideation behaviors, trends, and demographic differences from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2019 Youth Risk Behavior survey for the purpose of addressing future decisions and prevention measures. Includes virtual/digital factors.

Frequency of Text Messaging and Adolescents' Mental Health Symptoms Across 4 Years of High School

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
High School; K-12;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Examines relations between text messaging frequency and mental health symptoms across adolescence. Results did not find any consistent associations between texting and mental health symptoms across 4 years of high school, but additional research on content may provide greater understanding.

Associations Between Social Media and Suicidal Behaviors During a Youth Suicide Cluster in Ohio

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Behavioral/Mental Health and Development; Social Media;  Research
Explores relations between suicidal behaviors and suicide cluster-related social media.

Adolescent Mental Health in the Digital Age: Facts, Fears and Future Directions

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Elementary School; High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Educators, Teachers, and Faculty; Families, Parents, and Guardians;  Apps, Devices, and Hard/Software; Behavioral/Mental Health and Development;  Research
Outlines a data review that explores existing research of linkages between digital technology use and adolescent mental health. Results suggest conflicting small positive, negative, and null associations between daily digital technology use and adolescent well-being that provide implications for improving future research.

Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide: Online Media

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Higher Ed; K-12;  Community Partners;  Behavioral/Mental Health Development; Policy Recommendations and Best Practices;  Web Page
Contains considerations and tips for online media and preventing and reporting on suicide. It also includes links to intervention resources, advanced trainings, and other materials.

Hanging Out or Hooking Up Adolescent Health Poster

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Administrators; Community Partners; Counselors and Mental Health Staff; Students;  Family and Relationships;  Audio/Visual/Print Media
Provides support for school-based health centers, school nurses offices, teen clinics, and pediatricians offices by listing qualities of healthy and unhealthy relationships (including sexting and online harassment). The poster includes relational abuse hotline numbers.

Hanging Out or Hooking Up: Clinical Guidelines on Responding to Adolescent Relationship Abuse: An Integrated Approach to Prevention and Intervention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services
High School; K-12; Middle School;  Community Partners;  Family and Relationships;  Publication
Considers the role of health care providers in addressing adolescent relationship abuse.