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Impact of social media on young people's health examined

22 May 2018

The Science and Technology Committee holds two sessions on its Impact of social media and screen-use on young people's health inquiry.

Witnesses

Tuesday 22 May 2018, Grimond Room, Portcullis House

At 9.30 am

  • Matt Blow, Policy and Government Affairs Manager, YoungMinds
  • Sue Jones, Global Deputy CEO, Ditch the Label
  • Carolyn Bunting, CEO, Internet Matters
  • Dustin Hutchinson, Research and Policy Analyst, National Children's Bureau
  • Duncan Stephenson, Director of External Affairs and Marketing, Royal Society for Public Health

At 10.30 am

  • Amy Orben, Lecturer in Psychology, British Psychological Society
  • Dr Lucy Betts, Associate Professor in Psychology, Nottingham Trent University
  • Dr Mark Griffiths, Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction, Nottingham Trent University
  • Professor Andrew Przybylski, Director of Research, Oxford Internet Institute

Purpose of the session

The Committee will explore issues around cyber bullying, inappropriate content and age verification, and addiction. It will also hear how social media might change young people's view of themselves; whether it is through comparing their lives with their peers or their own body image. It will look at ways of mitigating potential harms and will consider what social media companies should be doing in the face of these concerns.

Witnesses

Wednesday 23 May 2018, Wilson Room, Portcullis House

At 4.10 pm

  • Martin Hewitt, Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service
  • Dr Netta Weinstein, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, Cardiff University
  • Beth Murray, Director of Communications and Engagement, Catch 22
  • Dr Keir Irwin-Rogers, Lecturer in Criminology, The Open University
  • Sheldon Thomas, Consultant on gang and youth violence, Gangsline

Purpose of the session

This session will explore the role of social media in increasing or reducing violence, including the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's recent comment that social media has a part to play in a rise in knife crime.

Further information

Image: iStockphoto