A more positive internet is possible. Just ask the Lab's Student Advisory Council Members.
High school students Roman, Nylah, and Sydney are in the spotlight sharing the challenges they experience online and their vision for the future. They see a world in which the internet is a safer and happier place for everyone, especially young people.
Gen Z has hope for a better internet. Let’s live up to what they imagine for us. Learn more about the Inspired Internet Pledge and join the movement at / (see link in profile)
🌟 Lab Colleague Spotlight: Dr. Meredith Gansner 🌟
We're excited to feature Dr. Meredith Gansner's contribution to recently released Handbook of Children & Screens! Her chapter, “Digital Therapeutics for Pediatric Mental Health,” explores the growing role of digital tools in treating mental health issues like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. While challenges remain, including limited trials and data security, these innovative tools hold great promise for improving pediatric mental health care.
Read more here: https://ow.ly/PHXg50UtOUs
#DigitalTherapeutics #YouthMentalHealth #DigitalHealth #PediatricCare #MentalHealthInnovation
📢 Spotlight on Dr. Mike Tsappis: Exploring Internet Use Disorders 📢
We’re excited to highlight Dr. Mike Tsappis, co-founder of Boston Children’s Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), for his contributions to the new Handbook of Children and Screens. His chapter on Internet Use Disorders provides valuable insights into the growing challenge of excessive internet use and its impact on youth.
Dr. Tsappis explores:
🎮 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychosocial treatments
💊 Pharmaceutical interventions like bupropion
🏫 Preventive strategies in schools
🤔 Key recommendations for future research and tailored prevention efforts
As demand for effective treatments continues to rise, Dr. Tsappis' work is critical in advancing our understanding of these issues.
Read more here: https://ow.ly/4atC50Utqt6
#DigitalWellness #InternetUseDisorders #YouthMentalHealth #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #GamingDisorders #YouthWellbeing #TechAndHealth #MentalHealthCare
💡 New Insights on Media Use in Middle Childhood 💡
As children enter middle childhood (ages 6–12), balancing their growing independence with guidance around media use can be challenging for parents. Dr. David Bickham’s chapter, “Parenting During Middle Childhood,” in the Handbook of Children and Screens provides valuable insights for parents navigating this stage.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: 📖 Kids this age spend over 5 ½ hours daily on screens, impacting sleep & activity 📜 Consider maturity, not just age, when introducing smartphones 🤝 Balanced parenting helps children develop healthy online habits. Read more: https://ow.ly/JNum50UsVWZ (see link in profile)
#DigitalParenting #HealthyTechUse #MiddleChildhood #ChildDevelopment #DigitalWellness #ParentalGuidance #SocialDevelopment
How are teens navigating the world of AI? Our latest Pulse Survey reveals surprising insights into their understanding and use of AI tools like Generative AI and Voice Assistants.
📉 34.5% of teens report strong AI knowledge, but 46.8% feel uncertain
❌ Over a third rarely fact-check AI-generated information
👨👩👧 25% have parents actively monitoring their AI use
💡 95% agree on the importance of using AI ethically
These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive tech education to ensure teens navigate the AI world safely, responsibly, and creatively.
#AIandTeens #DigitalLiteracy #GenerativeAI #ResponsibleTech #TechEducation #AIforGood #TeenVoices #DigitalWellness #EthicalAI
How are teens learning to navigate the fast-evolving world of AI? Our Pulse Survey: Optimism and Uncertainty – How Teens View and Use Artificial Intelligence, reveals some surprising gaps — and opportunities — in AI education.
THE LEARNING GAP
— While many teens use AI tools like GenAI, they often lack confidence in how to use them effectively.
— Less than half have received formal training to identify bias or misinformation in AI-generated content.
FACT-CHECKING? NOT SO MUCH
— Many teens rarely or never verify the accuracy of information from AI tools, raising concerns about digital literacy.
PARENTAL GUIDANCE MATTERS
— Teens whose AI use is guided by parental rules overwhelmingly agree with these boundaries.
A SHARED BELIEF
— The majority of teens agree that learning to use GenAI responsibly — avoiding plagiarism and following laws—is critical.
These findings highlight a unique opportunity to develop comprehensive tech education that equips teens with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-driven future. Let’s work together to empower young people with the knowledge to use these tools safely, ethically, and creatively.
❄️ 🎉 Celebrating the Season with the Digital Wellness Lab Team 🎉 ❄️
This week, we came together for a festive lunch to celebrate the holiday season and reflect on all we’ve accomplished this year.
From advancing groundbreaking research on digital wellness to building partnerships that champion healthy tech use, we’re proud of the positive impact we’ve made in the lives of children, families, and communities.
Here’s to continuing our mission in the year ahead!
#DigitalWellness #HealthyTechUse #Teamwork #HolidayCelebration #MakingAnImpact #ChildWellness #CommunityMatters
Laura Marciano, Michael Carter, Michael Rich, Sam Schwamm, Hannah Chidekel, Nicole Powell, David Bickham. Brinleigh Murphy-Reuter, Cori Stott, Filipa Paxaio, Zhiying (Zoey) Yue, Katrina Ho, Kaitlin Tiches.
🔦 Spotlight on Fellow Traveler: Dr. Jared Matas, EdTech Specialist at OunceIT 🔦
In our latest Fellow Traveler feature, Dr. Jared Matas shares how his work bridges education and technology to enhance learning and support student wellbeing.
At OunceIT, Jared empowers educators with tools tailored to their schools’ unique needs, emphasizing purposeful tech use. He highlights the importance of understanding that every student’s tech experience is unique — while technology can fuel creativity and connection, it can also pose challenges, particularly for vulnerable youth.
Jared’s advice for parents and caregivers:
✅ Start with curiosity and ask reflective questions like, "What do you enjoy most about this game?"
✅ Model the digital habits you want kids to follow.
✅ Build a support system, as youth wellness thrives through collaboration.
We’re grateful for Jared’s work in advancing healthier, more meaningful digital experiences for students of all ages.
https://ow.ly/h0Qn50Uq2y3
#EdTech #DigitalWellness #StudentWellbeing #MediaLiteracy #EducationalTechnology #TechForGood
At this year’s #FOSI2024 Annual Conference, Dr. David Bickham represented the Lab on a panel titled "Parenting in a Dynamic Digital World." Alongside experts from @Amazon and @TheGamerEducator Ash Brandin, the discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges AI brings to parenting and youth development.
Key takeaways:
💡 "Technologies evolve, yet children’s fundamental needs remain constant."— Jen Kotler Clark
💡 Parenting in the digital era succeeds with clear expectations, empathy, and support. — Dr. Bickham
💡 "We want our kids to thrive in a world that we ourselves struggle to envision." — Ash Brandin
These insights underscore the importance of balancing boundaries with understanding to guide kids through today’s dynamic digital world.
#DigitalWellness #OnlineSafety #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #AIandParenting #YouthEmpowerment #SafeDigitalSpaces
The Lab’s research director, Dr. David Bickham and executive director, Cori Stott returned from the Family Online Safety Institute’s Annual Conference (#FOSI24) inspired by the meaningful conversations, insightful presentations, and invaluable connections made throughout the event.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors to safeguard young people's wellbeing in an increasingly digital-first world. From discussions on global safety regulations to creative moments like building LEGO hearts, the conference provided a powerful mix of insights and community-building.
We were honored to connect with experts and leaders including Linda Charmaraman, Viraj Doshi, Jennifer Kotler Clarke, Michael Preston, Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, Wendy Matheny, Elizabeth Dank, Shannon Vyvijal, Catherine Teitelbaum, Tami Bhaumik, Alanna Powers, and former Digital Wellness Lab team member Kristelle Lavallee Collins.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to turning these ideas into action to create safer, healthier digital spaces for young people.
#DigitalWellness #OnlineSafety #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalCitizenship #HealthyTechUse
AI FRIENDS? TEENS SAY YES! 💬 Can AI-powered tools like Voice Assistants (VAs) and Generative AI (GenAI) be more than just machines? Teens seem to think so. According to our Pulse Survey: Optimism and Uncertainty – How Teens View and Use Artificial Intelligence, many young people see these tools as potential companions:
VOICE ASSISTANTS
📱 Over half of teens agree that VAs (like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant) feel like a friend, thanks to their conversational, easy-to-use design.
GENERATIVE AI
🤖 58% of teens think GenAI tools (like ChatGPT) can also act as a friend, even though these tools are still evolving their conversational abilities.
Teens aren’t just using AI to learn and create—they’re forming connections. But these "friendships" raise crucial questions about trust, ethics, and how AI shapes youth development, driving a need for further research and design considerations. Learn more at https://ow.ly/CH5j50Uokma (see link in profile)
#AIandTeens #DigitalWellness #GenerativeAI #VoiceAssistants #YouthTech #AIandTrust #AICompanions #FutureOfAI #TeenDevelopment #DigitalEthics #SocialTech
📱 CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS — WHAT TEENS THINK: At the first session of our 2024-25 Student Advisory Council, teen members dove into the complex world of high school cell phone policies. 🤔 From balancing focus to fostering social connections, hear their insights on what works — and what doesn’t.
3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1️⃣ Inconsistent enforcement of policies creates confusion for students.
2️⃣ Phones are both a lifeline for social connection and a classroom distraction.
3️⃣ Students call for balanced policies that respect their needs and input.
💡 Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation packed with real student perspectives and actionable ideas for creating better policies.
https://ow.ly/68N650UkSzz (see link in profile)
#StudentVoices #TeenVoices #EdTech #CellPhonePolicy #DigitalWellness #HighSchoolLife #TechInEducation #DigitalLiteracy #TeenInsights #ClassroomTech
🌟 TEENS, TECH, & TRUST — WHAT TEENS THINK ABOUT AI 🌟
AI-powered tools like Voice Assistants (VAs) and Generative AI (GenAI) are transforming how teens learn, create, and connect — but how do they really feel about these technologies?
For our latest Pulse Survey: Optimism and Uncertainty – How Teens View and Use Artificial Intelligence, we surveyed over 1,400 teens (ages 13–17) across the U.S. to uncover their experiences, concerns, and hopes for AI's role in their lives.
🔑 Key findings include:
🛡️ PRIVACY MATTERS
Teens are deeply concerned about:
— VAs "always listening"
— GenAI being used for deepfakes or to steal personal data
📚 ACCURACY OVER HYPE
While AI tools are popular, teens remain cautious about:
— The reliability of AI-generated content compared to search engines
— The potential for bias and misinformation
As AI evolves, it's imperative that we prioritize building tools that are trustworthy, equitable, and deigned for youth wellbeing. To learn more about what we found, check out key takeaways, recommendations for industry, and the full report on our website > Research > Pulse Surveys
#ArtificialIntelligence #TeensAndTech #DigitalWellness #GenerativeAI #YouthVoices #PrivacyMatters #AIFuture
