Time:  May 10, 2023
Location:  12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location:  Virtual
Topics
Brain and Cognition
Character Development

What *is* boredom exactly and what role does it play in cognition and development? What are the benefits and harms of “bored time” for children and has digital media displaced the space to let minds wander?

During Children and Screens’ #AskTheExperts webinar “On Boredom: Screen Time, Free Time and Child Development,” held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, a panel of psychologists, neuroscientists, counselors, and philosophers defined boredom in the digital age, explored the neural underpinnings of attention and states of discontent, considered potential benefits and risks to letting children be bored, and provided tools for parents and caregivers to recognize differences between boredom and other negative emotions.

Speakers

  • Andreas Elpidorou, PhD

    Professor of Philosophy; Director of the Liberal Studies Program University of Louisville
    Moderator

  • James Danckert, PhD

    Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience; Cognitive Neuroscience Research Area Head University of Waterloo

  • Susan Matt, PhD

    Presidential Distinguished Professor of History Weber State University

  • Natalie Spencer Gwyn, PhD

    Core Faculty School of Counseling, Walden University

  • Caley Arzamarski, PhD, NCSP

    Psychologist; Clinical Assistant Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Video and Resources

Watch a recording of the webinar "On Boredom: Screen Time, Free Time, and Child Development," read the transcript, and view other related content in Learn and Explore.

Watch the webinar