At the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, we conduct research and work across industries to develop evidence-based guidance to encourage technology leaders to build a healthier digital ecosystem for youth. The Lab’s Student Advisory Council, made up of high school students from across the country, contributes an invaluable youth perspective that helps to inform our work.
A chance to positively impact future media and technology
Digital Wellness Lab Student Advisory Council members will serve as student advisors to the Lab, giving them the opportunity to learn about the latest research on digital media and technology — and its impact on youth — build leadership skills, and contribute to important change initiatives.
- Engage in comprehensive conversations about their experiences online;
- Learn about current research and discuss what it means to engage healthfully and mindfully with technology and media;
- Make recommendations and suggestions for ways applications and platforms can be designed for healthy experiences; and
- Have the opportunity to connect directly with technology and healthcare professionals and to build connections with teens across the country who are interested in similar topics.
Council members will also have the opportunity to author content about digital wellness for young people and/or participate in deep-dive conversations about how the digital ecosystem affects young people’s mental and physical health in positive and negative ways.
Applications for the 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council are closed. Please stay tuned for opportunities to get involved in 2025-2026!
Teen Voices
Council members are given the opportunity to author content about how the digital ecosystem affects young people’s mental and physical health in positive and negative ways. We are grateful to these students for sharing their experiences and incredibly insightful ideas for how to make technology and interactive media healthier for themselves and their peers.
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The Positive Side of Social Media
Danielle, a 2024 Summer Teen Advisor at the Digital Wellness Lab, created an evidence-backed poster illustrating the positive side of social media.
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Tips for Teens: Safely Navigating the Complexities of the Online World
Alexandra, a 2024 Summer Teen Advisor at the Digital Wellness Lab, offers insights and advice to help her fellow teens stay safe online.
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A Youth Perspective on Navigating the Digital World
Pritika shares her thoughts on the complex online landscape, and makes the case that young people need a voice in the discourse, policy and decision-making surrounding the digital world.
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Online Gen-Z Slang: Should Parents Study Up?
Geo, a member of the Lab’s 2023-24 Student Advisory Council, offers insights on the evolving dynamics of slang and how teens feel when adults attempt to use it.
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Teen Voices: Geo
Geo, a member of our 2023-24 Student Advisory Council, shares that when it comes to digital wellbeing and technology, the adult view that the absence of devices is optimal, is…
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Teen Voices: Sharon
Sharon, a member of our 2023-24 Student Advisory Council, shares what adults don’t understand about teens and the impact of social media on their lives, stressing that not all teens…
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Teen Voices: Brian Z.
Brian Z. is a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2023-24 Student Advisory Council. He has thought deeply about how to make the internet healthier for young people.
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Teen Voices: Bansi
Bansi, a member of our 2023-24 Student Advisory Council, shares her point of view on the opportunities and challenges with technology, and how this impacts youth mental health.
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Teen Voices: Joshua
Joshua, a member of our 2023-24 Student Advisory Council, sheds light on how teens use technology and what parents and caregivers can do to help them adopt healthy habits.
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Teen Voices: Sydney W.
Sydney W. was a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2022-23 Student Advisory Council. They share their thoughts on what parents, tech and media companies, and policymakers need to know…
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Teen Voices: Pritika K.
Pritika K. is a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2023-24 Student Advisory Council. She shares what she would like to see changed to make tech healthier for teens, and…