Unplugged Ottawa: Understanding Problematic Social Media Use

Unplugged Ottawa: Understanding Problematic Social Media Use

Join us for Unplugged Ottawa's first event!

By Unplugged Ottawa

Date and time

Wed, May 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDT

Location

464 Metcalfe St

464 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, ON K2P 0P3 Canada

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Join Unplugged Ottawa for our launch event, featuring guest speaker Holly Shannon.

Social media is woven into our daily lives, but can it be addictive? While social media helps us stay connected, research suggests that excessive use is linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges—especially when it becomes problematic.

Holly, a third-year PhD student in Neuroscience at Carleton University under the supervision of Drs. Kim Hellemans and Synthia Guimond, explores these issues in her research. She will examine problematic social media use, its effects on the brain, and its similarities to other addictive behaviors. Holly will also highlight the latest evidence on social media’s impact on well-being and provide insights into distinguishing healthy from harmful use.

Following Holly's talk, we'll share more about Unplugged Ottawa and how you can stay engaged.

Frequently asked questions

What is Unplugged Ottawa?

Unplugged Ottawa is a local chapter of Unplugged Canada, a movement encouraging parents, caregivers and educators to commit to delaying smartphone access for children until they are 14 years old. Learn more about Unplugged Canada at www.unpluggedcanada.com and sign the pledge today!

Can I bring my kids?

Absolutely! While childcare won't be available, we'll have some colouring activities ready to keep kids busy while Holly speaks.

Is parking available?

There are a few guest parking spaces at 464 Metcalfe St. Parking on the surrounding streets is also available.

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