Overview
This Grand Rounds session will focus on Social media, smartphones and the teenage brain: Crisis or opportunity. This will be led by Dr. Scholastic Ashaba MBChB, MMed, PhD.
Adolescence is a critical period of brain development when emotional regulation, impulse control, and identity formation are still evolving. At the same time, many teenagers spend several hours daily on smartphones and social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
These platforms provide instant feedback through likes and comments, activating the brain’s reward system and potentially encouraging excessive use. Because that part of the brain (prefrontal cortex), which governs decision-making and self-control, is still maturing, adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to impulsive behavior, social comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption related to nighttime phone use. Studies have linked heavy social media use to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
However, digital platforms can also offer benefits, including social connection, access to information, and opportunities for self-expression. The key challenge is promoting balanced and healthy technology use. Parents, educators, and mental health professionals therefore have an important role in guiding adolescents toward responsible digital engagement while minimizing potential risks to mental health.
Target Audience:
This session is intended for Medical students, general practitioners, and other healthcare professionals involved in managing teenagers.
Learning Objectives/ Grand round purpose
To equip medical students of MUST and the surrounding communities with awareness and knowledge about Social media, smartphones and the teenage brain: Crisis or opportunity.
The subtopics:
- Adolescent Brain Development: Dr Moses Muwanguzi
- Patterns of smartphone phone use and social media use: Dr. Marjorie Mukisa
- Mental health risks of smartphone phone use and social media use: Dr. Piex Uwiragiye
- Potential Benefits of Social Media: Dr. David Kamya
- Roles of families, schools, and communities: Dr. Patricia Nankunda
- Role of Psychiatrists and health professionals: Dr. Esther Murungi
- Recommendations and practical strategies: Badru Kayongo
- Conclusion and Key take home messages: Dr. Schola Ashaba
We encourage active participation during the Q&A session following the presentations.
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95685889155?pwd=CHnTYJab499d1mC7lehRxjx3iHUcyj.1 Meeting ID: 956 8588 9155
Passcode: 234426
