ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is delighted to be part of this Medical Research Council (MRC) Engagement Award led by the University of Nottingham with partners at the University of Oxford, University College London, University of Auckland, Kings College London – a collaboration exploring research challenges in adolescence, mental health and the developing mind.
This project will enable multidisciplinary teams, to conduct pilot projects, build partnerships with key stakeholder and facilitate the exchange of knowledge. Research will address how the digital environment influences brain development and function, mental health and mental health problems, risk behaviours, bullying, loneliness and social isolations and also how digital technologies can be harnessed to promote positive behaviours and mental well-being.
The ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ team will be involved in a multi-stakeholder qualitative study on the role of digital technologies in adolescents’ mental health. With a focus on ADHD, self-harm and eating disorders, we will explore adolescents’ mental health vulnerabilities and the risks and benefits associated with digital technology use. The project researches the opinions of children and young people, experts, parents and policy-makers. Our aim is to learn from these insights to help policy-makers, educators, and businesses ensure children’s and young people’s rights to digital participation and their protection from online risks. We will use the research to disseminate lessons learned via publications, presentations, and talks and to create resources that support adolescents’ internet safety.
Scoping literature review
To precede and inform the qualitative research, we will conduct a scoping literature review on adolescent mental health in a digital world. The review will focus on what is known and not known regarding the three target groups – ADHD, self-harm and eating disorders – specifically in relation