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The Circular: Social media bans and impacts on adolescent mental health

A synthesis of Learning Circle 1: Social media bans

About

Learning Circles are a new kind of conversation space launched by UNICEF Adolescent Mental Health Hub and MHPSS Collaborative, designed for dialogue, not presentation. Unlike traditional webinars or expert panels, these sessions bring together people from diverse contexts and perspectives to explore contentious issues, surface tensions, and co-develop insights. Each Circle opens with Catalysts - invited speakers who share evidence, experience, and practical cases to frame key questions. Then participants, called Sensemakers, step into dialogue to add context, challenge assumptions, and explore what the conversation means for practice, policy, research, and for the lives of those affected by the issue being examined. The goal is simple: exchange experiences, question what we think we know, and develop new understanding together. After each Circle, we publish The Circular: A brief synthesis capturing the key messages, tensions, and insights that emerged.

Learning Circle #1: Social Media Bans and Adolescent Mental Health

On February 26, 2026, we convened young people, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and advocates from around the world. One question brought them together: Is restricting or banning social media for adolescents a justified approach to protecting their wellbeing?

Over 105 minutes, the sensemakers heard from two Catalysts who shared different angles on the evidence and different perspectives on the policy debate. Then they moved into small, facilitated groups - Mini Circles: Three rounds of structured dialogue in a shared workspace with collaborative boards for individual reflection, and time for group harvest. This Circular captures what emerged.