Social Media Intervention for Online Victimized Youth

Part of paid clinical trials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Study ID
NCT06835985
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
12 Years - 18 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Chatbot Intervention — OTHER
    Participants screened for suicidality during the ETUDES Center Primary Care Study and who disclose experiencing online victimization will be onboarded by a research clinician on how to use SMILEY, the web-based intervention that delivers psychoeducation, basic concepts of social media self-efficiency, and guidance on how to respond to and cope with online victimization. The chatbot and/or research clinician will send out periodic reminders to users to remind them to engage with the chatbot over four weeks. Technical troubleshooting concerns will be carried out by research clinician and chatbot developer team.
  • Brief Psychoeducation — OTHER
    When youth onboard the study, a research clinician will deliver psychoeducation for youth and caregivers supported by web-based resources. Content will introduce basic concepts of social media self-efficacy (screen time guidance, technological coping skills, and encouragement of positive online interactions) and guidance on how to respond to and cope with online victimization.

Study Details

This feasibility pilot trial seeks to examine the feasibility and target engagement of a coping skills and psychoeducational intervention delivered via an automated conversational chatbot named SMILEY in reducing frequency and stress associated with online victimization among marginalized youth, including those who are Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+, and experiencing depression and online victimization. The primary inquiry of this study is whether SMILEY can enhance the safety and decrease stress levels in online environments for marginalized youth coping with depression and online victimization. Participants will engage with materials, including interactive web resources, to learn safe social media practices and provide coping skills for experiencing online victimization. These materials will cover topics such as managing online time, addressing negative comments, and fostering positive connections. Participants will interact with SMILEY at their own pace over 4 weeks. This interaction will provide information and guidance on dealing with online victimization and the associated stress.

Key Dates

Start date
May 6, 2025
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Dec 30, 2026
Completion
Jul 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
75 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: SMILEY + Brief Psychoeducation
    SMILEY (Social Media Intervention for Online Victimized Youth): A self-paced HIPAA-compliant chatbot intervention administered through Facebook Messenger that delivers psychoeducational and coping skills content to improve social media self-efficacy and distress tolerance among Black, SGM and other minority youth with moderate to severe depression who experience online victimization.
  • Active Comparator: Brief Psychoeducation
    Research clinician will deliver psychoeducation for youth and caregivers supported by web-based resources. Content will introduce basic concepts of social media self-efficacy (screen time guidance, technological coping skills, and encouragement of positive online interactions) and guidance on how to respond to and cope with online victimization.

Primary Outcome Measure

Engagement with the chatbot [ Time Frame: Baseline ]

Locations (2)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania19104-
Western Psychiatric HospitalPittsburghPennsylvania15213-

Find similar trials in Philadelphia, PA

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia· Philadelphia, PAWestern Psychiatric Hospital· Pittsburgh, PA

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