Digital Wellness Lab

🚨 New Year, New Priorities: What's Your Top Digital Priority for 2025? 🚨 As we enter 2025, the digital landscape continues to shape how young people learn, socialize, and grow. From generative AI and gaming to mental health challenges and safety concerns, the issues demanding our attention are vast. At the Digital Wellness Lab, we're dedicated to understanding these challenges and providing families, educators, and policymakers with evidence-based strategies to raise healthy, balanced kids in a digital world. We want to hear from YOU: Take our poll, comment with other ideas, & let us know! 👇 #DigitalWellness #YouthTech #MentalHealth #GenerativeAI #DigitalSafety #TechPolicy #OnlineGaming #DigitalParenting #YouthWellbeing #2025Priorities

💖 Day 8 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series brings us full circle, celebrating the heart of the Digital Wellness Lab — our incredible team. This year, we proudly promoted Zhiying (Zoey) Yue, PhD, and Michael Carter, PhD, to the role of Scientist, recognizing their outstanding contributions to advancing the Lab’s mission. 🌟 Dr. Yue is making significant strides in understanding how social media and gaming shape the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of young people. Her 2024 Pulse Survey, “Digital Gaming and Social Interaction” highlighted how gaming fosters connection among teens, providing key insights into how these platforms influence social behaviors. Zoey’s work continues to shape our understanding of how technology impacts youth development. 🌟 Dr. Carter is conducting vital research on social media’s role in youth mental health. His 2023 Pulse Survey, “Exploring the Nuances of Young People’s Social Media Use and Experiences” offered groundbreaking insights into how teens navigate platforms in ways that both benefit and challenge their mental health. Michael’s work has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of youth digital experiences. In addition to these achievements, both Zoey and Michael shared their expertise at major conferences, including the International Communication Association Annual Conference, further amplifying the Lab’s work on a global stage. As we close this series, we honor their accomplishments and the dedication of our entire team to fostering healthier digital environments for children and families. #DigitalWellness #YouthResearch #MentalHealth #Teamwork #CelebratingSuccess #TopPosts2024

📸 Day 7 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series highlights a powerful message from our Research Manager, Sam Schwamm. At the National PTA Thought Leader Convening in Washington D.C., Sam shared findings from our research, emphasizing the importance of parental modeling in setting tech rules for teens, as they view these rules more positively when parents follow them too. Teens whose parents model tech rules report: ✅ Less overall screen use ✅ A lower likelihood of feeling “addicted” to media ✅ Greater acceptance of the rules as appropriately restrictive This insight underscores how vital it is for parents and caregivers to lead by example in fostering healthy digital habits. #DigitalWellness #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #ModelingBehavior #TeenMentalHealth #DigitalParenting #TopPosts2024

🎮 Day 6 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series takes us to #PAXEast2024, where the Lab joined a packed room of gamers and parents to discuss "Unlocking the Positive Potential of Gaming for Kids & Teens." Led by the Lab's Research Manager, Sam Schwamm, the panel brought together experts Steph Hoechst (FableVision), Dr. Jason Kahn (Mightier), Chris James (Modulate), and Dr. David Bickham to explore how video games can support youth development while addressing potential risks. The conversation spotlighted: 🎯 THE ROLE OF GAMES AS PLAYGROUNDS Panelists highlighted how video games allow kids to test boundaries, make safe mistakes, and explore identities in ways that mirror real-world developmental milestones. 🎯 EMPOWERING KIDS THROUGH CONTROL Dr. Kahn explained how gaming offers kids something rare: a space where they’re in control, making decisions and excelling independently from adult supervision. Attendees also raised thoughtful questions about VR, in-game spending, and how parents can channel the motivation kids feel while gaming into positive outcomes. The session left us inspired by the potential of gaming to support kids’ growth when approached thoughtfully and intentionally. #PositiveGaming #DigitalWellness #YouthDevelopment #GamingAndKids #PAXEast2024 #TopPosts2024

🎉 Day 5 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series celebrates transitions and milestones. We were sad to see Wendy Lekan of the Boston Children's Hospital Trust retire after years of tireless dedication to supporting the Lab’s launch and sustainability. Wendy’s leadership was invaluable, and she is deeply missed. At the same time, we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Kerry Durgin Johns, who stepped into the leadership role at the Trust. Kerry has been a fantastic partner to the Lab, and we’re excited about the work we’re doing to advance our mission together. Thank you, Wendy, for everything you’ve done, and congratulations, Kerry, on this well-deserved role! In photo: Cori Stott, Shella Dennery, Kerry Johns, and Wendy Lekan #DigitalWellness #Teamwork #Leadership #Milestones #Gratitude #TopPosts2024

🎥 Calling Bay Area Teens and Parents of Middle Schoolers! We’re filming a documentary on the future of human flourishing. We are looking for Bay Area teens (high school freshmen through juniors) and parents with middle schoolers (ages 9-12) to join us for meaningful conversations about technology, community, and health! 📅 Filming Dates: January 15 (primary) & January 16 (secondary) 📍 Location: Mill Valley, CA Travel expenses will be reimbursed, and this is a chance to be part of an inspiring project! If interested, please fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/g65kuiyk Tagging a few folks who might know friends! Arturo Béjar Julie Scelfo Raghu Kiran Appasani, MD Louise Langheier Marisa Warren Dana Vivier Raghu Kiran Appasani, MD zem joaquin Tiffani Jones Brown Carlene MacMillan, MD, FCTMSS,DFAACAP Lori Evans Bernstein Katya Hancock

🤝 Day 4 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series celebrates an exciting milestone: the launch of the Youth & Interactive Media Coalition! This initiative brings together researchers, educators, youth advocates, and media innovators across Harvard University to explore how today’s media and technology shape youth development, #mentalhealth, and overall wellbeing. Through collaboration, the coalition aims to amplify efforts and create a healthier digital future for young people. Learn more about our mission, members, and ongoing projects here: https://lnkd.in/gYN6Fj9B #DigitalWellness #YouthTech #MentalHealthMatters #InteractiveMedia #HealthyTechUse #TopPosts2024

🎓 Day 3 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series highlights a critical question: How can we prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s AI applications? The Lab’s resident AI-enthusiast, Brinleigh Murphy-Reuter, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology #RAISE #AIEDUSUMMIT2024, where discussions focused on the evolving role of #AI in education and its impact on the future workforce. Key takeaway: AI is here to stay, and Eric Klopfer’s Bloom's Taxonomy-based framework provides a valuable roadmap for educators: 1️⃣ Know and understand AI 2️⃣ Use and apply AI 3️⃣ Evaluate and create AI Preparing students to be thoughtful, critical users of AI requires collaboration across educators, families, and caregivers. Events like this inspire us to integrate expert perspectives into the Lab’s mission to promote healthy, empowered engagement with technology. #DigitalWellness #AIInEducation #FutureOfWork #AIForGood #YouthTech #TopPosts2024

🌟 Day 2 of our "Top Posts of 2024" series takes us back to an unforgettable discussion at #WEF24! On the second day at the #HumanChange House initiative, Dr. Michael Rich moderated the session "Human Change and the Future Workforce," featuring insights from leaders Andy Moose (World Economic Forum), Dr. Phil McRae (The Alberta Teachers' Association), and other experts on the panel. The packed room highlighted a shared focus: while technology dominates, social-emotional skills, resilience, and human connection are essential for the workforce of tomorrow. Key insight: "One thing AI can't do is build relationships, build trust. We need to rethink the skills our children are learning." — Andy Moose Explore how these leaders, as parents and grandparents, tackled this important topic. #DigitalWellness #FutureWorkforce #HumanChange #YouthWellbeing #TechAndSociety #TopPosts2024

🎉 Today we’re launching our "Top Posts of 2024" series. For our first post, we’re revisiting one of our most joyful moments this year — celebrating the release of The Mediatrician's Guide by Dr. Michael Rich!  Writing a book is no small feat, and our team came together with cake, cookies, and plenty of laughs to mark this important accomplishment.  Check out the original post to learn more about the book and its impact!  #DigitalWellness #Mediatrician #Teamwork #Milestones #TopPosts2024 #CelebratingSuccess