The Universidad Europea del Atlantico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (Ibero-American University Foundation , FUNIBER) and the Educandário Imaculada Conceição de Florianópolis (EIC) organised a conference in Florianópolis, Brazil, on mental health in the digital age. Dr. Ángel Rojas Vistorte, lecturer at UNEATLANTICO, was in charge of the conference, addressing the problematic use of social networks and their intrinsic relationship with mental disorders.
Prior to the lecture, Dr. Rojas gave an interview to Primer TV, a regional streaming channel. During the interview, the expert shared a preview of the topics he would address in his lecture and extended an invitation to viewers, generating great expectation among the community.
In his evening intervention, Dr. Rojas delved into the negative effects that the excessive and unregulated use of social networks can have on mental health. He analysed how factors such as the search for validation, constant social comparison and exposure to idealised content can contribute to the development of disorders such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, especially in young people and adolescents.
In addition, the expert offered practical strategies to mitigate these risks, stressing the importance of a conscious and balanced use of technology. He addressed parents, providing them with tools to set healthy boundaries, identify warning signs and foster an open dialogue with their children about the use of social networks. For the academic community, he stressed the need for further research and awareness programmes to address this issue.
Dr Ángel Rojas’ visit to Florianópolis and his lecture represented a significant step in the analysis of the challenges posed by the digital era for mental health. His rigorous and practical approach prompted deep reflection and the search for solutions to foster a healthier relationship with social networks.
UNEATLANTICO, as the organising institution, reaffirms its commitment to creating spaces for dialogue and reflection on crucial issues for contemporary society. Through initiatives such as this, UNEATLANTICO actively contributes to the development of a more informed and aware citizenry, promoting integral wellbeing in an increasingly digitalised world.
