EMPOWERING DIGITAL WELLNESS FOR KIDS | August 2023

Greetings Friend of the Lab,

At the Lab, we are always seeking to better understand young people’s experiences in their online environments and the impacts those experiences have on their health, safety, and overall well-being.

In our most recent Pulse Survey, Adolescents & Young Adult Media Use: Exploring the Nuances of Social Media Use and Experiences, we asked 1,505 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 22 about their social media use and how they are affected by the different spaces within the platforms, including messages, search, short video content feeds, and stories.

Overall, the findings show that young people are not simply “on social media” — they are engaging in complex online environments that create opportunities for positive experiences (e.g., social connection, reduced levels of stress) and potential risks that may bring about harm (e.g., exposure to hate speech or other distressing content). 

To learn more and access the full report, check out our blog post which highlights key findings and includes recommendations for parents and caregivers.

And please read on for more exciting news from the Lab.

Thank you!

Cori Stott
Administrative Director
The Digital Wellness Lab

Please pass on this opportunity
for high school students!

Applications are now open for our 2023-24 school year Student Advisory Council. 

Do you know a teen who would jump at the chance to help build a healthier digital ecosystem? A select group of high schoolers from around the country will have the opportunity to do just that. 

Student advisors will learn about the latest research on digital media and technology and its impact on young people, build their leadership skills, and contribute to important change initiatives. This is an incredible opportunity to interact directly with researchers at one of the leading pediatric hospitals in the nation, academics at Harvard Medical School, and leaders in the technology and healthcare industries.

The Lab creates impact by developing an evidence base for digital wellness. We do this by conducting, translating, and distributing rigorous research on the positive and negative effects of technology and interactive media use on young people to inform our progress towards positive health and development for every child, teen, and young adult.

Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Parent’s Guide to Going Back to School with Technology

4 Filters for Digital Wellness

Research Brief: Children & AI

The Lab in the News

Sharing photos of your kids? Maybe not after you watch this deepfake ad
Good Morning America

The Future of Children’s Television Isn’t Television Wired Magazine

What’s Happening in August

As summer winds down, the Lab is staying busy. Members of our team will be taking part in the “Connecting the Dots: Tech, Mental Health, and Emotional Wellbeing” event hosted by Pinterest for the Inspired Internet Pledge, presenting to high school students at the Waters Youth Academy, and meeting with Modulate AI to work on making voice chat safer. We’re also excited to welcome two new team members.

If you have friends, family, and colleagues who could benefit from this newsletter, please pass it on and encourage them to sign up to receive it themselves. Thank you!