How Adolescents Are Using Social Media for Public Health Advocacy
We live in a moment where the loudest voices in public health often belong to those with the most credentials, the longest CVs, and the institutional backing to validate their expertise. But what happens when a high school student with a podcast and a mission to prevent skin cancer reaches more adolescents in three months than most dermatology clinics do in a year? That's the gap Emily Chow has identified, and it's not a small one. I previously introduced you to Emily in April 2025 in an article titled, 'How a High School Student is Educating Peers on Skin Cancer Prevention,' after we had the opportunity to connect on LinkedIn. She recognized that adolescents are largely excluded from conversations about UV protection and skin cancer prevention, despite being the exact population where lifelong habits are formed. The result? One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, with risk accumulation beginning in childhood. Schools aren't prioritizing this education. Clinical settings aren't designed for youth engagement. And the platforms where adolescents actually spend their time, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, remain underutilized by health professionals. This is why Emily's work matters, and why nurses, nurse practitioners, and healthcare entrepreneurs need to pay attention. She's proving that public health advocacy doesn't require institutional permission, it requires passion, digital literacy, and a willingness to meet people where they are. For clinicians sitting on a patient education series, a podcast idea, or a curriculum module they've been told isn't "ready," Emily's journey is a strategic blueprint. She didn't wait for validation. She started with research, relatability, and a commitment to her peers. In this article, Emily breaks down the implications of youth-led social media advocacy across five critical domains: nursing practice, education, research, policy, and entrepreneurship. Whether you're a school nurse looking for peer education models, a DNP student searching for a community-based project, or an entrepreneur wondering if your content actually matters, this is your roadmap. Because if a high school student can launch a twice-monthly podcast that translates dermatology expertise into conversations her peers actually listen to, what's stopping you? The future of public health advocacy isn't waiting for permission. It's already happening. Let's learn from it.
Adolescents are harnessing social media to lead powerful public health advocacy campaigns. From podcasts to educational TikToks, young leaders are proving they can change their communities by raising awareness about critical issues like skin cancer prevention.
Introduction / Background & Significance
Social media is often criticized for fueling insecurities or unrealistic beauty standards , but it also holds tremendous potential: it connects people, spreads information quickly, and inspires collective action. For adolescents, these platforms are more than entertainment, they’re a stage for leadership.
My own journey began when I realized how little my peers knew about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure. Like many teens, I grew up thinking sunscreen was unnecessary. That changed when I learned about the increased risks of skin cancer and premature aging. Suddenly, the lack of education on such a simple, life-saving habit felt urgent. I decided to use social media as my way to start conversations, share what I was learning, and make an impact.
Implications for Nursing Practice: Nurses and Adolescents Collaborating Online
Nurses are often the most trusted health professionals. Social media offers them a new frontier to share reliable, evidence-based information, and adolescents can be powerful allies in that mission. Together, nurses and youth advocates can:
● Translate complex medical knowledge into relatable content.
● Mentor and guide adolescents to ensure accuracy in their advocacy.
● Extend health promotion beyond clinical walls into communities where it’s most needed.
By collaborating online, nurses empower adolescents while amplifying messages that improve public health literacy.
Implications for Education: Social Media as a Classroom for Public Health
Schools often overlook everyday health risks like sun exposure. Social media, however, fills this gap by acting as an informal classroom.
For example, I launched The SunSun Podcast on Spotify to spark conversations among adolescents about skin cancer prevention. Through this platform, I’ve interviewed dermatologists and professors, translating their expertise into conversations teens can connect with. This approach proves that education doesn’t have to stay in textbooks, it can thrive in digital spaces where young people already spend their time.
Peer-to-peer education on social media not only increases engagement but also helps normalize protective health habits in adolescent communities.
Implications for Research and Policy: Validating Youth-Led Advocacy
Adolescent-led advocacy deserves recognition in both research and policy. Possible directions include:
● Studying how youth-driven digital campaigns influence behaviors like sunscreen use.
● Measuring the reach and credibility of partnerships between professionals and adolescents online.
● Encouraging policies that integrate digital advocacy into school health programs.
When policymakers acknowledge social media as a valid public health tool, they open the door to stronger, youth-centered initiatives.
Implications for Entrepreneurship: Turning Passion into Platforms
Public health advocacy on social media isn’t just about sharing posts, it’s also an entrepreneurial journey. Adolescents learn branding, networking, digital storytelling, and project management skills.
My podcast began as a passion project, but it quickly grew into something more structured: managing guest speakers, creating consistent content, and building an audience. Those same skills are the foundation of entrepreneurship. Many youth advocates today are showing that public health messages can be amplified through startup-like approaches, sustainable, scalable, and impactful.
Conclusion: The Future of Public Health Advocacy Is Digital
In this generation, social media is more than entertainment, it’s a driver of education, advocacy, and change. Adolescents are proving that you don’t need to be a professional to make an impact.
My own journey with The SunSun Podcast has shown me that with passion, persistence, and the right platforms, young people can change how their peers view health. I hope my story inspires others to take action, because public health advocacy belongs to all of us.
Listen to The SunSun Podcast here. If you find the mission valuable, please follow and leave a five-star review. In the world of adolescent public health, every bit of visibility matters.
About the Author
Emily Chow is a high school junior from the San Francisco Bay Area and host of The SunSun Podcast on Spotify, where she educates adolescents about UV protection and skin cancer prevention. Inspired by her own experiences, Emily uses social media to amplify awareness on public health issues often overlooked in schools. As a contributor to Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research™, Emily shares her journey as a young advocate, bridging science, storytelling, and digital entrepreneurship. She is also an intern at the California Academy of Sciences.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
