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For more than 20 years, child and adolescent psychiatrist Paul Weigle, MD, has witnessed firsthand how digital media habits intersect with youth mental health. A longtime member of the Children and Screens National Scientific Advisory Board and a member of the Institute's new Evidence Council, Dr. Weigle plays an important role in shaping the research-informed guidance we share with families.
In this month’s spotlight, he reflects on how the field has evolved—from early conversations about video games to today’s broader concerns about overuse, platform design, and the parent-child dynamic around screens. He shares what he sees in his clinical practice today, why cross-disciplinary collaboration matters, and why meaningful progress requires both family education and greater accountability from technology platforms.
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AI “friends” and companions are increasingly becoming a part of many young people’s social lives. But what do we know about how these tools shape children’s development and which kids may be the most vulnerable? In episode 27 of Screen Deep, Pilyoung Kim, PhD, joins host Kris Perry to discuss how children perceive and form attachments to AI companions, the potential risks of unhealthy reliance, and what parents and researchers should be focusing on to safeguard children’s well-being.
🎧 Listen now to explore how children form attachments with AI companions—and what parents and researchers need to understand.
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Experts Vote 7-2: Parental Permission
Needed for Youth AI Companion Use
The Children and Screens Evidence Council, a new panel of leading child development researchers and clinicians, has issued its first vote. Members were asked whether minors should be required to obtain parental permission before using AI companion platforms. The vote: 7-2 in favor.
Experts cited concerns about emotional reliance, distorted social expectations, exposure to inappropriate content, and the limited safeguards currently in place. At the same time, Evidence Council members agreed that parental permission alone is not a complete solution and that stronger protections and continued research are needed.
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Stanford University is hosting the panel "Better Solutions, Better Outcomes: Innovation in the Public Sector” on March 5. The discussion will be led by the 2026 Haas Distinguished Visitors, including Children and Screens' Executive Director, Kris Perry.
everyone.AI published a report on how social AI can influence adolescents’ development, the related risks, and the guardrails and design changes needed to safeguard children’s rights and well-being. The report featured contributions from several Children and Screens staff members.
The Tech Oversight Project published a report compiling unsealed documents showing major social media publishers Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok knowingly designed their products to be addictive for children and teens.
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What is sextortion and how does it put adolescents at risk?
Sextortion is a growing form of online coercion that can have serious emotional and psychological consequences for young people. Learn how sextortion works, why it’s a growing risk for youth, and what parents and caregivers can do to protect children and respond if a crisis arises.
| | | | | | Amid yet another federal funding fight, national child online safety legislation has ground to a halt, sidelining efforts to advance bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and COPPA 2.0 despite overwhelming bipartisan support. At the same time, momentum is shifting outside of Congress, as landmark social media litigation begins to test the limits of platform liability and expose what companies knew about the risks their products posed to young users. Together, these developments underscore a pivotal moment for kids’ online safety—one shaped as much by courtrooms as by Capitol Hill. | | | | WEBINAR SHORT: Why Some Social Media Use Affects Body Image | | | From the #AskTheExperts webinar “Social Media and Youth Body Image: What to Know and What to Do." In this webinar, Jennifer Mills, PhD, CPsych (Full Professor, Department of Psychology, York University; Psychologist) explains when and how images on social media can fuel body dissatisfaction in young people. Drawing on research, she also discusses why warning labels on altered images often fail to dispel body insecurity. | | | New in 2026: A new federal tax law allows many donors who take the standard deduction to receive a tax benefit for charitable giving. Tax benefits vary by individual. | | Your gift ensures that groundbreaking science doesn’t stay in the lab—it reaches families, educators, and decision-makers who need it most. By donating today, you’ll fuel future convenings, free educational resources, and collaborative research that drives real-world change. Every contribution strengthens our nonpartisan mission to safeguard children’s health and well-being in the digital age. Together, we can turn knowledge into action and build a healthier digital future for kids everywhere. | | | | |
