1. How do social media and online interactions impact adolescents' mental health?

"Social media use is associated with increased risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety in adolescents. This increased with time spent on social media." 

2. What are some short-term and long-term effects of cyberbullying?

"Cyberbullying can cause anxiety in the short term. It can also lead to low-self esteem and issues with poor appetite and sleep among other things. Long-term, it can lead to lower grades, substance use disorders, negative behaviors including suicidal thoughts and behaviors."

3. What are some symptoms, both physical and mental, that may indicate that an individual is being cyberbullied?

"If someone has become withdrawn, has poor appetite and sleep or destructive behavior."

4. What are some coping strategies that you would recommend to a victim of cyberbullying?

"Blocking and/or ignoring the bully, talking to parents, siblings and friends and if needed the police. Support from teachers is also very important.  Psychotherapy is definitely an option."

5. What are some risk factors and protective factors associated with victims of cyberbullying?

"Low self esteem, pre-existing anxiety or depression. Girls, racial or ethnic minorities, poor communication with parents and high exposure to negative content on media are all risk factors for worse mental health outcomes."

6. How can schools, social media platforms, and parents better support victims of cyberbullying?

"I think the key at schools would be for teachers to have some training to recognize the signs of possible cyberbullying and to intervene if recognized. It would be helpful if there are mental health counselors present at the school. Open communication with parents is important. It would be helpful if social media companies can somehow restrict people under 18 from using their platforms but more importantly, having policies to ban perpetrators of cyberbullying. Unfortunately, social media companies are always very hesitant to do this due to freedom of speech issues."