Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
5-8-2026
Abstract
Goal Statement
The goal of this social change project is to reduce social isolation, depression, and suicide risk among children ages 9 to 11 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, by promoting digital literacy, emotional awareness, and healthy engagement with social media and AI-driven digital environments during a critical stage of social and identity development.
Significant Findings
Social isolation, depression, and suicide risk among youth are increasing public health concerns at the national, state, and local levels, with growing evidence linking these trends to social media use and AI-driven digital environments (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023; Twenge et al., 2018). This project focuses on children ages 9 to 11 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a developmental stage in which peer relationships, identity formation, and digital engagement are expanding while emotional regulation and critical thinking skills are still developing. Research indicates that excessive or unstructured engagement with digital platforms may increase exposure to social comparison, cyberbullying, and emotionally distressing content, contributing to symptoms of anxiety and depression (Riehm et al., 2019; Office of the Surgeon General, 2023). At the same time, protective factors such as emotional regulation, digital literacy, strong peer relationships, and parent-child communication support healthier developmental outcomes. Findings from the social-ecological model suggest that these risks and protective factors operate across multiple levels, with caregiver relationships playing a particularly important role in shaping how children interpret and respond to digital experiences. Based on these findings, early, relationship-centered prevention efforts that combine psychoeducation, skill-building, caregiver involvement, and structured peer interaction are recommended to strengthen resilience and promote healthier digital engagement among youth.
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps
The following objectives and strategies are designed to guide professionals in implementing a prevention program that strengthens digital literacy, emotional development, and parent-child communication among youth.
1. Implement a caregiver-child psychoeducational prevention program Develop and pilot a six-week program using a children’s action book and structured weekly sessions. Facilitate guided discussions and activities that build emotional awareness, communication skills, and digital decision-making, while incorporating structured peer and near-peer interaction to support social modeling and skill development.
2. Apply an evidence-based curriculum framework Use Common Sense Education as the foundation for program content. Adapt lessons on media balance, online relationships, cyberbullying, privacy, and digital literacy into a developmentally appropriate, family-centered format.
3. Strengthen caregiver capacity to support digital well-being Provide caregivers with concrete tools, including discussion prompts, reflection activities, and communication strategies, to reinforce learning at home and support ongoing conversations about social media, AI, and online experiences.
4. Partner with community-based organizations for program delivery Collaborate with local schools, libraries, and agencies such as the Anne Arundel County Department of Health to host program sessions, recruit participants, and increase accessibility for families across the community.
5. Provide training for facilitators and near-peer mentors Train counselors, educators, and selected adolescents ages 14 to 16 to deliver program content, model healthy digital behaviors, and facilitate developmentally appropriate discussions while maintaining clear boundaries and supervision.
6. Evaluate program outcomes using measurable indicators Conduct pre- and post-assessments to measure changes in children’s self-efficacy, communication skills, and digital literacy, as well as caregiver confidence and engagement. Use findings to refine program content and delivery.
7. Expand and sustain the program across settings Use pilot data to refine the program and pursue broader implementation in school and community settings. Seek partnerships and funding opportunities to support long-term sustainability and scalability.
