Evidence, Clarity, and Connection in a Rapidly Changing Digital World | | |
Kris Perry, Executive Director
As AI and digital technologies evolve faster than research, parents and caregivers are looking for trustworthy, evidence-based guidance more than ever. In this reflection on 2025, we highlight the webinars, podcast conversations, and age-and-stage resources that resonated most with families. We share how we’re building momentum into 2026 through research, education and policy engagement.
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The Ethics of AI Chatbots for Children
What makes AI characters so appealing to kids and where do these technologies fall short? In Episode 25 of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry speaks with Sonia Tiwari, PhD, about child-centered design, the ethics of AI chatbots and characters, and the real developmental risks these tools can pose for children.
🎧 Listen now to explore how children engage with AI—and what parents, educators, and designers need to understand.
| |  | | Policy Voices is a recurring newsletter feature that spotlights thought leaders, policymakers, and advocates whose work interacts with the mission of Children and Screens. These individuals bring deep expertise, practical insight, and real-world experiences that enrich the broader conversation about how research, policy, and practice can better support children and families. Joining us for our first edition is Zamaan Qureshi, Co-Chair of Design It For Us. Zamaan spoke to us about the debates over federal regulations, including the various legislative models and politics involved. | | | |
(NEW!) What is Sharenting?
Sharing photos and videos of children online can help parents connect and celebrate but research suggests it may also carry risks for children’s privacy and family relationships. Our latest "Common Question" breaks down what “sharenting” is, the pros and cons, and how families can find a thoughtful balance.
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Now Open: 2026-2027 Impact Fellowship Applications
Children and Screens is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Impact Fellowship, a selective, year-long, cohort-based opportunity for graduate students to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of research, public education, and policy focused on children’s digital well-being. Application deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026.
| | | | | As 2025 came to a close, a record-breaking government shutdown stalled child online safety laws, disrupted federal programs millions of families rely on, and set the stage for a rapid—and contentious—push on digital policy. In just weeks, Congress advanced sweeping packages of online safety bills, reignited debates over platform accountability and transparency, and escalated tensions between federal and state authority over AI regulation. Meanwhile, states and international regulators continued to move ahead with their own child-focused safeguards, reshaping the digital environments children inhabit every day. The result is a fast-moving, fragmented policy landscape with profound implications for children’s health, privacy, and well-being. | | |
NEXT WEEK | New #AskTheExperts Webinar
How does social media shape young people’s body image and what can adults do to help? Join us for the first #AskTheExperts webinar of 2026, “Social Media and Youth Body Image: What to Know and What to Do,” on Thursday, January 22, from 4:30pm–6:00pm ET. This expert-led session will explore the latest evidence on how body image develops, the influence of social media trends, marketing, and influencers, and practical strategies parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals can use to support healthy body image and reduce online risks.
| | | | | WEBINAR SHORT: Why "Likes" Change What Teens Think | | | From the #AskTheExperts webinar “Online Marketing and Children's Eating Habits: What to Know and What To Do." In this clip, Marie Bragg, PhD (Assistant Professor of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine) discusses research findings showing how “likes” influenced adolescents’ receptiveness to food ads on social media, and how the new interactive nature of social media ads can tap into adolescent brain development. | | | 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. | | | | |
