When Exeter Township Senior High School junior Madeline (Madi) Bieber joined fellow students from across Berks County for a discussion with Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, she didn't realize just how far her voice might reach.

Madi, a member of Exeter's Aevidum Club, was among more than 40 students from eight Berks County schools and programs who participated in the Attorney General's teenTALK Roundtable on the Impact of Social Media on Student Mental Health, held in the spring at the Berks County Intermediate Unit. The discussion was one of three held across Pennsylvania during the 2025-26 school year, bringing together approximately 160 students from 35 schools to share their experiences and concerns about social media, artificial intelligence and the effects of digital technology on their mental health. Madi was selected to participate by SHS school psychologist and Aevidum Club advisor Lauren Solazzo, who knew that Madi's longstanding passion for mental health advocacy would make her a valuable contributor to the conversation. An active volunteer and youth leader involved in numerous school and community organizations, Madi has dedicated much of her time to supporting the mental health and well-being of her peers.

Still, she admits that speaking with the Attorney General was initially intimidating.

"There were a lot of people in suits," she recalled with a laugh. But she quickly felt more comfortable as Attorney General Sunday made an effort to engage each student personally, encouraging even the quieter participants to share their perspectives.

During the discussion, Madi spoke about the pressures teenagers face through social media, particularly unrealistic body image standards, social comparison and the effects of online activity on students' mental health and feelings of safety at school. She also listened as students debated the growing use of artificial intelligence, including whether AI chatbots can provide meaningful emotional support or create a false sense of connection.

What struck her most was discovering how many of her peers shared similar concerns.

"I looked around and realized that my peers shared those exact same heavy feelings," Madi told the Exeter Township Board of School Directors during its meeting earlier this week, where she was invited to share her experience participating in the teenTALK initiative. "We were all searching for balance, authentic community and real solutions in a world designed to keep us scrolling." Those conversations helped inform the Attorney General's subsequent teenTALK Report, which includes recommendations for technology companies, lawmakers, schools and families to better protect young people online.

According to Mrs. Solazzo, this opportunity was particularly meaningful because it allowed Madi to extend her advocacy beyond the students she typically works to support. Rather than focusing solely on peer-to-peer mental health awareness, Madi was helping inform the adults whose decisions shape young people's experiences, including educators, parents and policymakers. It's an especially meaningful opportunity for Madi, who hopes to become a special education teacher after graduating from high school and college. Her passion for supporting students' mental health and well-being is something she hopes to carry into her future classroom, where she wants to help create an environment in which students feel understood, supported and valued.

For Madi, learning that her participation helped contribute to recommendations reaching educators, parents and policymakers across Pennsylvania was especially rewarding. "It made me feel good because I felt like I made a true impact on people," she said. But she also noted that making a difference doesn't necessarily require being the most outspoken person in the room. "You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact," she said. "Being a quiet leader simply means that when you do speak, you speak with purpose, intention and empathy."

One message Madi particularly hopes parents take away is that social media isn't entirely negative. Although she recognizes its potential to harm mental health, she also believes it can provide valuable connections, encouragement and coping resources. Rather than focusing exclusively on how much time teenagers spend on their phones, she hopes parents will take a greater interest in what their children are experiencing online. However, Madi also believes many parents may not fully understand the safeguards available to protect their children in today's digital world. She admitted that even she was surprised to learn that social media platforms offer settings to restrict certain content, and she suspects many parents are similarly unaware of these tools. She encourages parents to familiarize themselves with parental controls, monitor what their children encounter online and think carefully about the age at which they allow their children to begin using social media.

Above all, she hopes parents will recognize that regularly checking in with their children is just as important as setting restrictions.

Her perspective is particularly timely as Exeter prepares to welcome nationally recognized digital safety expert Katie Greer for a special presentation for parents on Wednesday, October 21 at 7PM at Exeter Township Junior High School. Greer will address current technology trends, social media and gaming risks, privacy and safety settings, healthy digital boundaries and practical strategies for helping children navigate an increasingly connected world. This presentation, Mrs. Solazzo says, is a perfect opportunity for parents to take their own actionable steps to help protect their kids online. “One of the most meaningful things about Madi's experience is that it reminds us how much adults can learn when they truly listen to our youth."