Changing minds: Tweens, teens and screens

Part of UniSC’s new ‘Building Better’ series, designed to ignite conversations, open minds, and explore bold ideas for a better tomorrow. Screen time and social media are reshaping how young people think, behave and experience the world. Join award-winning producer, broadcaster and health commentator Dr Norman Swan as he leads this panel discussion on growing up in a fast-moving digital world that has never been more harmful – or offered more connection. Bringing together leading researchers and speakers with lived experience, our panel will unpack the latest research and share insights on screen time, social media and youth mental wellbeing. Panellists Changing personalities – Dr Rachael Sharman Psychologist, researcher and author and mother of four, Dr Rachael Sharman specialises in the healthy development of young minds. Her work explores how excessive screen time impacts the social and emotional development of tweens and teens, and how social media makes it harder for teenagers to develop their sense of identity. That’s why raising the minimum age for social media access to 16 is a good idea, says Professor Sharman, who’ll share practical advice for parents on setting boundaries, supporting wellbeing and helping children develop healthy digital habits. Changing mental health – Professor Daniel Hermens Cognitive psychophysiologist Professor Daniel Hermens leads the groundbreaking Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study, which used MRI scans to track changes in the brains of young teens from age 12 until they reached 17. Research from the Thompson Institute's Youth Mental Health and Neurobiology Program is now helping to predict future mental distress, better understand the causes of emerging anxiety and attention issues, and reveal the impacts of cyberbullying on wellbeing and body image. Changing perspectives – Spencer Abbott – Digital content and production company director Spencer Abbott brings a young, positive perspective on living your life online. What started as creating online content for fun with friends in his spare time as a student turned into running his own digital media company. Yes, he knows the drawbacks: constant notifications, the challenge of switching off, online peer pressure, disrupted sleep and more. But he also knows how to harness social media to create content that brings positivity, humour and connection. Changing parenting – Kerri Abbott - and mum of two) Naturopath, nutritionist and mother of five Kerri Abbott raised her three eldest children just as social media was emerging in the 90s. Her youngest grew up immersed in a world shaped by smartphones, social media platforms and constant connectivity. Two sons are now full-time content creators. She shares her insights on raising happy, connected and resilient children while adapting to rapidly changing digital world. This is the third instalment of UniSC’s new flagship ‘Building Better’ public series, designed to ask the big questions, explore bold ideas and seek better solutions to create healthier people and a healthier planet.