55. Girls + Social Media: A Student Action Research Initiative

This is our second of three weeks featuring young people engaged in important work - in this case, questions about teens and social media. Researcher Danah Boyd once wrote, "Most teens aren't addicted to social media; they're addicted to each other." Join us for an engaging workshop showcasing the results of a student-designed action research project, completed in partnership with ICGS, that explores the impact of social media use on girls' self-esteem, mental health, and relationships. Participants will hear from the student researchers and will review the research methodology, and, most importantly, actionable strategies for girls, parents, guardians, and educators. Discover how we all can foster healthier social media habits and empower girls to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and resilience. Eric Walters serves as the Director of STEM Education at Marymount School of New York, where he teaches Physics, Atmospheric Science, and several technology electives. He also serves as the faculty moderator for the Tech + Social Media Team, which coordinates the STEMxYouth Summit as well as the 2024 Girls + Social Media Survey. As an Apple Distinguished Educator and a Google Certified Educator, he believes that transformative teaching and learning occurs when students (and teachers) construct their own knowledge, collaborate with peers, and represent that knowledge and understanding in ways that are meaningful to the learner, all while receiving authentic, relevant, robust, and holistic feedback.