Digital Risk, Institutional Capacity, and Equity in Adolescent Mental Health Access

• In Event: Social Equity in Health Care: Policy, Access, and Digital Systems

Abstract

As digital platforms become central to adolescents’ daily lives, cyber-violence and online environments have emerged as important determinants of youth mental health and access to care. For vulnerable populations, exposure to digital harm can contribute to long-term health inequities; however, less is known about how institutional responses shape access to support and services. Understanding how organizations translate digital risk into service provision is critical for informing policies that address emerging determinants of health.This paper examines the Blue Tree Foundation in South Korea, a leading NGO in school violence prevention and digital citizenship training, to analyze how organizational research capacity contributes to addressing digital risks and supporting pathways to mental health care. Using a qualitative case study and a longitudinal review of organizational development, the study draws on national survey data, policy reports, and semi-structured interviews with strategic leads. This approach allows for an in-depth examination of how institutional practices evolve over time in response to changing digital environments.The analysis highlights a “field-policy cycle,” in which real-time data on adolescent technology use and cyber-violence is translated into standardized assessments, program design, and policy engagement. Preliminary findings suggest that institutionalized research capacity enables a shift from reactive responses to preventative and coordinated approaches that improve access to support systems. These findings provide additional context on how data-driven organizational processes can shape service delivery and access to care.The paper contributes to research on health equity by examining how digital risks intersect with institutional capacity to shape access to mental health services. It offers policy-relevant insights into how nonprofit and public systems can better integrate data, program design, and governance to address the digital determinants of health and reduce disparities in care access. These findings further inform policy discussions on how institutional design and capacity-building efforts can support more equitable mental health systems in digitally mediated environments.

Author

• Michael J Ahn, The Blue Tree Foundation
  Presenting Author