The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a report following a virtual roundtable meeting held on October 4, 2023, concentrating on establishing guiding principles for age-appropriate online mental health content for youth.
Twenty-two global health experts, specializing in digital media, child and adolescent mental health, and suicide prevention, participated in the discussions. The participants, diverse in gender and geographic location, joined the online meeting from 16 different countries.
Prior to the session, WHO commissioned a rapid review to explore existing literature and gather young people’s perspectives through focus group discussions. The review examined evidence and youth viewpoints on online content that can best enhance their well-being and mental health.
Due to limited research on audiences under 13 years, the meeting focused on discussing evidence and experiences primarily related to young people aged 13-17 years. The meeting did not establish formal WHO guidelines but proposed actionable points to benefit young people and guide future work in this area.
Guiding Principles:
From the rapid review, 10 guiding principles for developmentally-appropriate online mental health content were identified. These principles covered emotional relevance, practical advice, cognitive fit, relatable language, diversity and inclusivity, real-life stories, visual engagement, evidence-based clarity, accessibility, and alignment with human rights standards.
Key Takeaways:
Several key takeaways emerged for defining and applying the guiding principles from the roundtable meeting:
Recognition that all children and adolescents have different neurocognitive and developmental profiles, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches.
A lack of evidence on younger age groups, lower-income settings, and a dearth of developmentally staged information overall.
The need for regular adaptation of principles to address the rapidly evolving digital landscape and meet the changing needs of young people.
Emphasis on digital platforms being part of a broader, integrated system of comprehensive mental health care.
The importance of content avoiding narratives that may inadvertently cause harm and contributing to stigma reduction.
Consideration of diverse backgrounds, alignment with human rights conventions, and grounding in scientific research in content creation.
Encouragement for young people’s active involvement in content creation design.
The participants acknowledged the challenge of establishing universally applicable principles, citing diverse cultural norms, digital inequity, data privacy concerns, and the lack of evidence, particularly from low-income settings.
Next Steps:
Recognizing that comprehensive principles require an extended process, the insights from this meeting represent a first step in informing approaches to support young people’s mental health through online platforms. Further work and collaboration with stakeholders are vital to build upon this foundational effort, supporting the creation and distribution of age-appropriate online mental health content for young individuals. Future steps may involve additional research, validation mechanisms, identifying exemplary practices, and engaging multiple stakeholder groups.