Our Mission

MISSION

As the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team, or SMAHRT, we strive to advance society’s understanding of the relationship between media and adolescent health. Our goals include embracing innovation, advancing knowledge and supporting trainees towards improving the health and well-being of teens. We prioritize incorporation of diverse voices and perspectives in every aspect of our work.

FOCUS

SMAHRT’s core areas of work include: 1) providing education to adolescents and families towards safe digital media use, 2) developing tools to assess digital media use and understand beneficial and problematic internet use, and 3) both testing and interpreting messages within social media to promote healthy behaviors.

VALUES

  • An interdisciplinary approach with emphasis on using rigorous and ethical research practices
  • Collaboration with critical stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, educators, technology professionals, youth and community members in the development and translation of our research projects
  • Diversity among our trainees, team members, colleagues and participants including racial, cultural, religious, sex, gender, sexual orientation and ability status