The Institute's Commitment to Research-Driven Resources | |
Kris Perry, Executive Director
As technology rapidly evolves–often without children’s needs in mind–critical questions remain about its impact on their health and development. By advancing rigorous, interdisciplinary research and the dissemination of evidence-based insights, the Institute equips parents, educators, and policymakers with the tools they need to support children in navigating the digital world safely and healthily.
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With most teens gaming daily, how much is too much? Do violent video games really make kids more aggressive? Listen to episode ten of the Screen Deep podcast, Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health, featuring host Kris Perry and guest Douglas Gentile, PhD, for a discussion on the latest research on how gaming impacts kids’ health, social behavior, and emotional well-being.
Missed earlier episodes? Looking for show notes? Visit the Screen Deep archive for access to all previous episodes and catch up on the conversations you've missed. The next episode drops March 12!
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Scholarship and financial assistance deadline approaching: March 3, 2025, 5:00pm ET. Meet leading researchers, clinicians, educators, and other experts exploring the impact of digital media on children and adolescents.
Mentorship Program. Looking for career guidance or networking support from a seasoned professional in your field? Interested in providing professional insights for the next generation? Opt-in for the 2025 Congress Mentorship Program. Deadline: May 1, 2025, for priority matching. Late sign-ups will be accommodated based on availability.
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For over four decades, Dr. Ellen Wartella has been a leading voice in the study of how digital media impacts child development. As the Al-Thani Professor of Communication, Professor of Psychology, and Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University, as well as the Director of the Center on Media and Human Development, she has shaped the field with groundbreaking research on child consumer behavior, media’s role in development, and public policy implications. Dr. Wartella has been a member of Children and Screens’ National Scientific Advisory Board since 2014. | | | |
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2025 Children's Advocacy Days: “Navigating the Digital Frontier: Empowering Children & Youth for a Bright Future," on March 10-11, will be held by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. Kris Perry, Executive Director at Children and Screens, will deliver the keynote address.
Screens & Learning Action Kit, published by Fairplay's Screen Time Action Network, is a free research-based guide with recommendations and resources for parents to advocate for their children's learning in an increasingly screen-based classroom, as well as guidance for schools to evaluate EdTech products.
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COMMON QUESTION:
Does Teen Phone Use Affect Romantic Relationships?
Digital technology has transformed the way teens connect with romantic partners, allowing for constant communication through texting, video calls, and online activities. But does this digital shift help or hinder their relationships? Find out by visiting Children and Screens’ latest “Common Question.”
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"Adolescent Smartphone Use During School Hours." JAMA Pediatrics, February 2025. (A study co-authored by Lauren Hale, PhD, a member of the Children and Screens Board of Advisors, and Dimitri Christakis, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Children and Screens, among others.)
“Parental Technoference and Child Problematic Media Use: Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Medical Internet Research, January 2025.
“Likes, Shares, and Symptoms: The Hidden Toll of Early Adolescents' Social Media Use on Well-Being.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 2025.
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Children and Screens Awarded Prestigious Grant from the John Templeton Foundation
The project, Character Matters: Values and Resilience in the Digital Age, will explore how technology and digital media shape youth character development. It will bring together top scholars, educators, faith leaders, and practitioners to tackle critical questions, leading to a webinar series and a set of educational resources for parents, educators, and policymakers.
Children and Screens Impact Fellowship
2/28 Deadline
This prestigious, paid opportunity offers graduate and advanced undergraduate students the chance to contribute to shaping a healthier digital future for young people.
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Are today’s children lonelier than past generations? How are digital devices and social media shaping their ability to connect, and what does that mean for their long-term emotional and social well-being?
Join Children and Screens for the #AskTheExperts webinar, “Growing Up Lonely? Child Connection and Isolation in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, February 26, at 12pm ET. A panel of child psychologists and researchers will examine the intersection of youth media use, social behaviors, and mental health in children today.
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WEBINAR SHORT: Children’s Skepticism Toward Authentic News Sources | | |
From the #AskTheExperts webinar “Unreal: Online Misinformation, Deep Fakes, and Youth.” Andrew Shtulman, PhD (Professor of Psychology, Occidental College) discusses the prevalence of children misjudging real news as fake in the #AskTheExperts webinar “Unreal: Online Misinformation, Deep Fakes, and Youth” on November 19, 2024. | | | |
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Gifts from donors like you are vital to providing objective and actionable information to key stakeholders, grounded in the latest scientific and clinical evidence. Your gifts drive interdisciplinary research and collaboration, public education programs and resources, and our nonpartisan advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and within individual states. |
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