New Meta-Analysis Explores Digital Mental-Health Interventions for Young People with Social Anxiety

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Walder, N., Frey, A., Berger, T., & Schmidt, S. J. (2025). Digital mental health interventions for the prevention and treatment of social anxiety disorder in children, adolescents, and young adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e67067. https://doi.org/10.2196/67067 

Introduction
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) emerges early in life and impairs social and academic functioning (NIH). Walder and colleagues (2025) highlight the pressing need for scalable, accessible interventions. Given barriers to traditional therapy, digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) offer promise. The authors examine the efficacy of DMHIs specifically for youth under 25, with social anxiety symptoms to determine their role in prevention and treatment.

Methods
The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from six databases: PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, PSYNDEX, PubMed, and Web of Science. Studies included participants with a mean age of <25 years, and tested digital interventions targeting social anxiety. Two independent authors handled screening, data extraction, and bias assessment. Analyses used Hedges’ g to compute standardized effect sizes, with 95% confidence intervals, and a random‑effects model to accommodate between‑study heterogeneity.

Results
Twenty-two RCTs met inclusion; twenty-one contributed data to the meta-analysis. The pooled effect indicated a moderate reduction in social anxiety symptoms relative to control, demonstrating meaningful clinical benefit. Subgroup analyses revealed that programs incorporating therapist guidance or peer support achieved stronger outcomes than fully automated formats. Adherence rates were consistently higher in blended interventions, underscoring the value of human interaction in digital formats.

Discussion
The authors note that while DMHIs show moderate effectiveness, heterogeneity in formats and the tendency for small sample sizes warrant caution. The added benefit of human support suggests that hybrid models may best balance accessibility and efficacy. The authors advocate for standardized outcomes and longer follow-up periods to assess durability of effects. They also emphasize the need for cultural adaptability and accessibility across sociodemographic strata, which remains underexplored.

Implications for Mentoring Programs
Structured digital modules with mentor or peer facilitation could complement face‑to‑face mentoring, enabling scalable mental health support for youth with social anxiety. Mentor-guided DMHIs may enhance engagement, reinforce learned skills, and foster sustained behavior change. Implementing these tools in mentoring programs could close critical service gaps while preserving therapeutic alliance and personalized guidance.

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