From the Desk of the Executive Director

February 2025

The Institute’s Commitment to Research-Driven Resources

Technology is ubiquitous in our daily lives and in the lives of children, despite how little of it was designed with their well-being in mind. This raises critical questions about its impact on children’s health and development. With the emergence of new technologies such as generative AI and ever more sophisticated algorithms, the Institute remains dedicated to the completion and translation of rigorous, interdisciplinary research that addresses these questions. Innovative methodologies, validated research tools, and a collaborative approach that integrates diverse perspectives to deepen our understanding of what helps or harms children is crucial for their safety online.

Since our founding in 2013, Children and Screens has been dedicated to advancing research, fostering collaboration, supporting families, and informing policy that prioritizes children’s well-being. Today, more than ever, parents, educators, and policymakers need evidence-based, objective information to navigate the evolving digital landscape and make informed decisions about children’s media use. 

At the Institute, our mission is to help children lead healthy lives in a digital world. To do so, we must equip families and decision makers with the resources they need. We remain committed to advancing and disseminating high quality, research-backed insights that serve as the foundation for meaningful guidance, education, and policy.

January 2025

We’re certain that 2025 will be an action-packed year, not only for all of us here at Children and Screens but for kids and families as we all navigate the rapid rate of change in the technology sector. These changes can bring exciting opportunities and some real challenges. That’s why we’re more committed than ever to equipping families, caregivers, and policymakers with the resources they need to make thoughtful, informed decisions about digital well-being.

I’m thrilled to share some big plans with you.

Fourth Digital Media and Developing Minds Congress

Registration is now open for what promises to be a must-attend event in Washington, DC. This four-day conference will bring together top researchers, clinicians, educators, government representatives, and other experts to explore how digital media shapes the development of children and adolescents. Secure your spot with the early bird discount available until March 30, 2025. There are also numerous sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available, both excellent ways to position your organization as a leader in this critical conversation.

Advancing Policy Recommendations

With a new Administration, and the 119th Congress in session, we know that there will be  debates over the fate of TikTok, potential social media bans for minors, discussions about cell phone bans in schools, and debates over how to regulate artificial intelligence. With all these important decisions, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This year, we’re focusing our policy work on three primary areas:

• • Advancing legislative reforms similar to KOSA and COPPA 2.0; 
  • Promoting transparency from platforms and supporting public interest research; and 
  • Strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure effective enforcement of existing and new laws.

Check out our January 2025 Policy Update for more details on what’s happening and how we’re working to make a difference. 

Expanding Partnerships 

We’re excited to be partnering with leaders across public health, early childhood development, AI, business, and education to create practical, impactful solutions for children and families navigating the digital age. We’ve reached across aisles, rooms, and zooms to expand the number of groups and leaders dedicated to children’s online safety. Cutting-edge research fuels our team each day as we seek to create resources and recommendations for parents, providers, and youth anxious to live healthy lives in a digital world. School districts, healthcare systems, governors, and early childhood mental health experts are just a few of the groups we’ve supported over the past year as they work to put kids first.

Ongoing Initiatives

Our signature #AskTheExperts webinar series kicks off on February 5th with “Win-Win Parenting: Child Safety, Autonomy, and Family Harmony In the Digital Age.” We’ve got an exciting line-up for the spring, covering everything from loneliness and aggression to AI in education and strengthening parent-child relationships.

We’re also launching fresh episodes of our podcast Screen Deep. Season Two started with one of my personal heroes, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, in a conversation dedicated to all things “Language Development, Learning, and Play.” Don’t miss it – listen here. And, of course, we continue to add to our robust library of educational content with new tip sheets, video shorts, and research-at-a-glance digests.

All of this work is made possible by your ongoing support and generosity. Together, we’re making 2025 another meaningful year in helping kids lead happy, healthy lives in a digital world. Thank you for being on this journey with us – we couldn’t do it without you!

October 2024

This Fall has already been a season of significant achievements for the Children and Screens team, marked by both action and reflection on our ongoing policy, research, and education efforts to help protect children’s health and well-being in our digital world.

I’m both honored and humbled to host our new podcast Screen Deep, where each conversation with a leading expert in the field has been both inspiring and educational. To date, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Marc Potenza, professor of psychiatry at Yale University, about the neuroscience of adolescent digital and behavioral addictions; Dr. Dimitri Christakis, Chief Science Officer at Children and Screens, pediatrician, and editor-in-chief of JAMA Pediatrics, about the implications of screen use in early childhood; Dr. Lauren Hale, sleep health researcher from Stony Brook University, about screen time and its relationship to sleep health; and Dr. Eva Telzer, professor of psychology and neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill, about adolescent brain development and social media use.

I hope you find, as I have, that Screen Deep serves as a springboard for meaningful discussions based on rigorous research. You can find Screen Deep on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio.

We’ve also seen progress in legislative efforts to protect children’s safety online. In September, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). With upcoming changes to the executive branch and Congress, we’re eager to continue building on the momentum with the next administration. (See the October 2024 Policy Update for more details.)

Earlier this month, the Institute announced a call for abstracts for the 2025 Digital Media and Developing Minds International Scientific Congress, July 13-16, 2025, in Washington, DC. We invite researchers to submit abstracts presenting new findings on the impact of digital media on child development. You can also view the Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus for exceptional visibility opportunities for your company or organization. I look forward to next year’s Congress  and the opportunity to learn from all of the exciting, new research. It’s always such an inspiring and energizing experience.

Additionally, our Fall 2024 #AskTheExperts webinar series is in full swing, covering topics including online safety, sexual exploitation, and ADHD and digital media use. And in case you missed it, we released a tip sheet, “Boys, Health, and Digital Media,” providing valuable insights and practical advice for parents and caregivers.

We are grateful to our generous donors and institutional supporters, whose contributions make all of this work possible. Your commitment allows us to continue advancing critical research, educational programs, and policy initiatives like these. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission to help kids lead healthy lives in a digital world and for empowering us to make a real difference.

August 2024

I’m pleased to share some of the exciting activities we have planned for the Fall. 

Our #AskTheExperts webinar series starts again in late August. Registration is open for our first #AskTheExperts webinar of the Fall 2024 season, “Safe Zone: Children and Online Safety” happening on Wednesday, August 28, at 12pm ET via Zoom. Other topics this season include Sexual Harassment, ADHD and Digital Media, Communication and Language Development in Early Childhood, Reality vs Fiction Online, and Digital Therapeutics.  

Get ready for the launch of our podcast featuring leading experts in digital media and child development to answer the big questions: How are kids really doing in the digital age? What insights have we gained and what are we learning about their development that may change how we understand and engage with them? Stay tuned for details!

Finally, planning is underway for the 4th Digital Media and Developing Minds Scientific International Congress, to be held July 13-16, 2025 in Washington, D.C. This multi-day event will gather leading experts from various disciplines to explore and address the critical impact of digital media on child development. Be sure to bookmark our website page and keep an eye on your inbox for important announcements and deadlines.