On-Demand CE Training
ODL 437: Social Media Safety Across the Lifespan
Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.
Please note: This on-demand webinar is a replay of a live CE event. The format reflects the original presentation and may include live Q&A, transitions, and intermittent audio/visual fluctuations typical of a live recording.
5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:
Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 General Continuing Education credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE credits
Counselors 5 Contact hours
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact hours
Addiction Professionals
NAADAC – This course is not approved for NAADAC contact hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 CE Contact hours
Created On: 9/10/2026
Target Audience:
This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.
Instructional Level:
Beginner
Overview:
With the advent of social media, new realities have surfaced. There is a growing need to support continued attention and education to ensure positive mental health outcomes and overall well-being for individuals engaging in social media use. Key considerations must be addressed to promote safety and prevent online predation, exploitation, harassment, and cyberbullying.
This webinar will explore the prevalence, predictors, and cautions associated with adverse social media experiences among vulnerable populations. Rather than focusing on specific age groups, the session will examine these issues across the lifespan, recognizing that individuals at every developmental stage may encounter unique risks and challenges in digital environments.
Information and practical strategies related to online safety will be discussed, with an emphasis on equipping professionals to work effectively with consumers and their families to promote safe, informed, and positive engagement in social media use.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:
- Recognize and be aware of populations that are particularly vulnerable for online safety challenges.
- Describe current trends in social media use and their impact on mental health and well-being across the lifespan.
- Identify common adverse online experiences, including cyberbullying, harassment, exploitation, and predation, and recognize associated risk and protective factors.
- Examine key predictors and warning signs of problematic or unsafe social media engagement among vulnerable populations.
- List strategies and resources to support clients and their families to prevent, mitigate, or address online safety issues and concerns.
Presenter:
Christina Marsack-Topolewski, PhD, LMSW
Dr. Marsack-Topolewski has served as the lead principal investigator on multiple grant-funded programs tailoring services for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. She is an appointed board member of the U.S. National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disability and Dementia Practices. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski’s research has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) and ABC News Detroit. Over the past five years, she testified before members of the Michigan Legislature to advocate for new laws that protect against the exploitation and abuse of adults with disabilities. Two of these house bills were signed into law in the state of Michigan in December 2023. In 2024, she received the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Research Award for Research Excellence. In addition, she received the Arc of Oakland County’s Advocacy Hall of Fame Award in 2024. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, their three daughters, and family and friends.