Underage Drinking – The Social Media Impact: Town Hall Tonight

To be held tonight, Monday, October 21st, 6:00-8:00 pm

Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, 200 S. E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

Browning Room

Youth First, Inc. is hosting a town hall forum to increase community awareness on the effects social media has on the teen brain, especially when it pertains to substance use and its consequences. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2018, 95% of teens reported they have a smartphone or access to one and 45% said they are online “almost constantly.”

 Moderator Dennis Jon Bailey, WIKY Morning Show DJ, will guide a panel of local experts to provide insight to parents, youth workers, and other adults who want to know how social media is impacting substance use.

 Panelists:

o   Dr. James Schroeder, PhD, HSPP – Vice President of the Psychology Program, Evansville Easterseals Rehabilitation Center

o   Lieutenant Monty Guenin – Commander, Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, Evansville Police Dept.

o   Brittnie Hughes – Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS), Department of Neuroeducation, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

o   Katie Omohundro, MSW, LCSW – Youth First School Social Worker, Vanderburgh County

o   Lisa Hutcheson, MEd – Vice President for Policy and Programs, Mental Health America of Indiana & Director, Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (ICRUD)

Local teens will share the ins and outs of the most popular apps such as SnapChat, Instagram, and TikTok, along with advice about how adults can keep children and teens safe while online.