Children and Screens

Screen Deep

A Parenting , Kids & Family and Education podcast

#69 in Parenting · 🇳🇿 #165 in Parenting · 🇸🇬

About the show

Screen Deep takes aim at decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world. Host Kris Perry dives deep with a leading expert in each episode to explore how children and adolescents are affected mentally, physically, and developmentally by digital media use, bringing research and evidence-based perspectives to the essential questions on how to help children thrive today.

Newest episodes

Digital Addiction 101: Signs, Treatment Strategies, and Managing Conflict | Clifford Sussman, MD

Nov 11, 2026 51 min

How can a parent know if their child is addicted to screens – and what can they do about it? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry interviews Clifford Sussman, MD, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist specializing in problematic digital media use in adolescents and young adults. Dr. Sussman discusses the hallmarks of a digital addiction, the relationship between screen media and dopamine pathways in the brain, strategies to adjust behavioral cues in family environments to support healthier media use, and how to intervene if a child is displaying problematic media behaviors. Dr. Sussman shares his approach of balancing “high dopamine” activities with “low dopamine” activities both online and offline to support building media self-regulation skills, including the unique challenges and opportunities of doing so with neurodivergent youth. In this episode, you will learn: Signs a child or adolescent may have a digital addiction – and how it varies by ageWhy adolescent brains are vulnerable to an addictive dopamine rush from digital media useWhy the length of a single digital media session – and difficulty stopping – matters more than total screen time in a dayHow managing environmental “cues” is an important part of managing a digital addictionStrategies for balancing “high dopamine” and “low dopamine” activities to help prevent and cope with digital addictionThe benefits of a short three-day digital detox reset Considerations and strategies for digital addictions in neurodivergent youth For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music:...

Do Social Media Child Safety and Content Moderation Features Work? with Laura Edelson, PhD

Oct 21, 2026 45 min

Most social media platforms provide child safety and content moderation features to help protect young users from harmful content and experiences. Do they work? Will changes required by lawsuits help? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses recent research into these questions with Dr. Laura Edelson, Assistant Professor at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Science and Co-Director of Cybersecurity for Democracy. Dr. Edelson highlights the need for greater transparency and data access so that researchers can better identify potential harms of social media, and describes her research findings on algorithmic feeds as well as the efficacy of youth safety features and content moderation. In the absence of platform features that truly work to protect children, Dr. Edelson provides tips for parents on navigating social media use by their children. In this episode, you will learn: What research by Dr. Edelson shows about the failure rate and design of existing child safety features on leading social media platformsWhy it’s important that children’s accounts on social media use their real age – even if teen account protections are not fully effectiveWhy current content moderation filters on social media platforms fail to block harmful posts before young users see themWhy some of the “fixes” required for Meta as part of August 2026 lawsuit settlements may not be effective in reducing harmWhy social media platform transparency and independent research is needed to understand how social media causes harm to some youth but not others For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens...

Artificial Intimacy: What Happens When We Turn to AI for Connection? with Sherry Turkle, PhD

Sep 30, 2026 50 min

Humans of all ages are increasingly relying on AI chatbots as intimate and always-supportive social companions. What are the costs of this reliance on “pretend empathy” when it comes to the development of social abilities and our expectations of human empathy and relationships? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these questions with Sherry Turkle, PhD, MIT Professor and author of the new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines. Dr. Turkle discusses the implications of human-like chatbots for children’s developing understanding of empathy and connection, and the societal impacts of accepting AI’s performance of these traits as replacements for the real thing. In this episode, you will learn: How reliance on “artificial intimacy” with AI chatbots erodes our capacity for human care, tolerance, and empathyWhy constantly supportive AI tools make it more difficult to have real relationships which require navigating conflict or a different perspectiveThe dangers to children – and society – of growing up thinking machine relationships can replace human onesHow the business incentives behind AI tools encourage deeper attachment for profit Why use of AI chatbots for therapy, which may provide short term support, cannot replicate a caring human therapistHow use of social media for emotional comfort has acted as a “gateway drug” to a more toxic attachment to chatbots For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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All episodes

Digital Addiction 101: Signs, Treatment Strategies, and Managing Conflict | Clifford Sussman, MD

Nov 11, 2026 51 min

Do Social Media Child Safety and Content Moderation Features Work? with Laura Edelson, PhD

Oct 21, 2026 45 min

Artificial Intimacy: What Happens When We Turn to AI for Connection? with Sherry Turkle, PhD

Sep 30, 2026 50 min

Why the Internet Should be Made Safer for Children - Not the Other Way Around with Baroness Beeban Kidron

Sep 9, 2026 52 min

The early egalitarian promise of an open and free internet has morphed over the past three decades into an algorithm-driven experience that is designed to addict and extract data and money from adults and children alike. In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by renowned children’s digital rights advocate Baroness Beeban Kidron to learn how we got from “there” to “here” – and why making technology safer for children, rather than expecting children behave more safely on the internet, is a critical issue for our time. Kidron details why now is the “big tobacco” moment for tech platforms and child internet safety, and shares successful strategies for regulating tech platforms from the UK and Europe that could be used as a playbook for change elsewhere. In this episode you will learn: Why the egalitarian promise of the early internet has led to a “generational injustice” of children being treated as adults onlineWhat designing and regulating the internet with the rights of children in mind should and could look likeHow the 5Rights Foundation and other organization are increasing child safety online through regulation in Europe – and why it’s harder to make progress in the United StatesHow Kidron thinks the tech companies have controlled the narrative – and why they must be held to a “duty of care” towards children like any other businessHow the business model of today’s tech companies impedes them from independently making their platforms safer for children For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by...

The False Promise of Tech and AI in Schools with Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd

Aug 19, 2026 53 min

Has the widespread use of "educational" technology and AI in schools led to declines in children’s learning outcomes and skill development, rather than promised improvements? In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by author, educator, and neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath to discuss this and his updated book The Digital Delusion. Dr. Horvath outlines how the implementation of digital technologies in education has benefited corporations, not students or teachers. He explains the dangers of eliminating necessary cognitive “struggle” and offloading critical skill development in the name of efficiency. Tune in for insights on how the onslaught of AI in schools has intensified problematic trends in the edtech space, and what strategies teachers and parents can use to counteract these issues and help their children to better understand the necessarily messy process of learning. In this episode, you will learn: Why widespread tech adoption in schools has worsened – not improved – learningWhich essential parts of teaching and learning are displaced by educational tech useWhy tools like AI that boost efficiency for experts hinder learning for novices How expecting children to use the same devices for school and learning that they use for entertainment is a losing battleWhat it means to take a “pro-learning” approach to tech in schools Why teachers need parents to help push back against tech use in schools For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottb...

The Costs of Using Devices to Calm Children with Peter Reschke, PhD

Jul 29, 2026 36 min

The usage of phones and tablets to help calm infants and young children in difficult moments is often effective in the moment – yet how is the development of self-calming skills affected by this common parenting practice long-term? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by Dr. Peter Reschke, Associate Professor of Human Development at Brigham Young University and expert on early emotion and social development. Dr. Reschke details how babies and young children develop an understanding of emotions, why infant-caregiver interactions are critical for development, and shares recent research on how regularly using media at early ages to cope with negative emotions can affect later behavior and problematic media use. In this episode, you will learn: The powerful role parents play in helping infants and young children develop the skills to recognize, express, and regulate emotionsWhy watching media together (known as “co-viewing”) with young children can positively impact emotional development (and why solo media use may be disruptive) What the research says about giving phones and tablets to calm children (and healthier ways to help them cope with difficult emotions)How regular use of media or devices for emotion regulation in early childhood predicts problematic media use in later childhoodHow an infant's nervous system reacts physiologically when parents are digitally distracted, according to research For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckl...

The Science of Raising Humans in the Age of AI with Dana Suskind, MD

Jul 8, 2026 46 min

The rise of AI is often presented as an opportunity to make parenting easier, but what happens when technology begins to replace, rather than support, the human interactions children need most? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry dives into this timely question with Dr. Dana Suskind, Founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health and author of the book, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity, and Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI. Dr. Suskind highlights the importance of back-and-forth human interactions in early development, and shares which AI trends parents should be most wary of. She provides guidance for evaluating the use of AI tools, including using it to enhance, not replace, parenting. In this episode, you will learn: Which essential “human” parts of parenting cannot be offloaded onto AIWhy AI can be integrated as a parenting “copilot” – but never the pilotFive risky AI behaviors to watch for in parenting or child use of AIFour value principles you can use as a framework for making intentional choices about AIThe human skills parents should help their children develop to flourish in the AI ageHow to evaluate AI tools for use in family life For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Influencers and Kids: The Power of Online Personalities | Liselot Hudders, PhD

Jun 17, 2026 38 min

The rise of influencers has changed the conversation around advertising, marketing, and behavior change in adults as well as children. How do influencers and their sponsored content impact children’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry interviews Dr. Liselot Hudders, Professor of Marketing Ethics at Ghent University, to unpack her research on how influencing works, why influencers produce content aimed at youth, what children understand about digital advertising techniques, and how policy plays an important role in protecting children from deceptive marketing. She also explores issues around “kidfluencers” and the use of children in parent influencer content. In this episode, you will learn: Why children trust influencers and how it shapes their behaviorHow technological advances are allowing increasingly sophisticated influencer marketing techniques to reach kidsWhy sponsored content can be hard for children to recognize What influencer financial disclosures don’t accomplish (and why they are easy to miss) What parents can do to to counteract negative impacts of influencer content on children For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

How Toxic Food Marketing Affects Child Health with Kelly Brownell, PhD

May 27, 2026 44 min

Children today are inundated with sophisticated marketing and ads online, particularly for unhealthy foods which can contribute to obesity and other negative health impacts. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by food policy expert and leader in the fight against childhood obesity Dr. Kelly Brownell to discuss the ways in which this “toxic food environment” impacts children’s health and well-being. Dr. Brownell explores the addictive nature of highly processed and sugary foods and beverages, and draws parallels between the food and social media industries on how they prey on children’s vulnerabilities. He emphasizes the importance of policy solutions to help families cope with the powerful effect of food advertising on children’s health. In this episode, you will learn: How screen use is linked to childhood obesityHow daily exposure to large amounts of food advertising influences child and adolescent food choices and behaviorsWhy the food industry is incentivized to market unhealthy and addictive foods to children starting at young agesWhy parents need support from policymakers and regulators to help protect children from the health effects of unhealthy online food marketing The similarities between the food industry’s use of additives and the tobacco industry’s use of ingredients to manipulate desire and increase product appeal and dependence For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

What Matters for Young Children's Healthy Digital Media Use and Learning? With Rachel Barr, PhD

May 6, 2026 43 min

For decades, researchers have studied why babies and young children learn differently from screens than they do from real-world experiences. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by Dr. Rachel Barr, Professor of Psychology at Georgetown University and a leading expert in early childhood and digital media. Dr. Barr describes why it’s difficult for young children to learn from digital media, a concept called the “video transfer deficit effect,” and explains which specific features of high quality media paired with parenting practices can support learning and development. Dr. Barr also describes why video chatting is often an exception to screen time guidelines, how family media plans can help family relationships, and the importance of considering children’s environments holistically when studying how they interact with and are impacted by digital media. In this episode, you will learn: Why it can be difficult for young children to learn from digital media and how researchers discovered the “transfer deficit effect” How parental guidance and educational app design can make learning from media easier for childrenWhat features to look for in educational shows and apps One expert-recommended app for young children and what makes it stand out Why thinking more expansively beyond “screen time” is essential for evaluating your child’s media useHow parents’ own media use — and how they talk about it with their children — can shape family relationships For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buck...

Making Social Media Safer: How Lawsuits Are Changing the Game with Matt Bergman

Apr 15, 2026 42 min

As courts increasingly examine the impact of social media on young people, new legal approaches are beginning to reshape how responsibility for harms are understood, shifting the focus from content to platform design. On this special episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry speaks with Matthew Bergman, founding attorney of the Social Media Victims Law Center, professor of Lewis & Clark Law School, and a member of Children and Screens’ Scientific Advisory Board. Bergman also served on the legal team representing the plaintiff in a landmark case examining the impact of social media platform design on youth. Together, Kris and Matt explore why it has historically been difficult to bring lawsuits against technology companies, how recent litigation strategies are more effective than past efforts, and what these developments could mean for the future of platform accountability. In this episode, you will learn: Why social media companies have historically avoided accountability for harm encountered through their products, and how that may be changing How recent lawsuits have uncovered key internal evidence that social media platforms were designed to be addictive to young users despite known risks How legal experts are using scientific research and product liability law to help define harms to youth and establish social media platform accountabilityWhy recent lawsuits are focusing on social media platform design rather than content, and why that matters Why legislative change is needed to assist the effort to enforce social media platform transparency and accountability For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @children...

Measuring How Screens Change Young Brains with Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus, PhD

Mar 25, 2026 47 min

How is digital media use rewiring children’s brains – and how can these impacts be measured? In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses the latest research on screen use and brain development with Dr. Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Dr. Horowitz-Kraus provides an overview of how the brain processes language and reading, what her brain imaging research shows about how these processes and related cognitive skills work differently with digital media, as well as how the presence of mobile phones and other technology can disrupt attention. In this episode, you will learn: What brain imaging is revealing about how screen use affects the developing brains of childrenWhy specific areas of the brain and the networks that connect them each matter for child reading and language developmentHow to read to your child to engage attention and creativityDifferences in how print versus digital reading activate cognitive regions in the brainHow the mere physical presence of a smartphone can affect children’s attention, impulse control, and task performance For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Does Age of Smartphone Ownership Affect Child Health? With Ran Barzilay, MD, PhD

Mar 4, 2026 51 min

How do online environments shape children’s health and well-being? Which features have the biggest impact, and how can we make sense of the very different ways individual children experience the same digital world? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses new research into this “digital exposome” with Dr. Ran Barzilay, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Barzilay explains how researchers are beginning to measure and quantify online environmental factors, cutting-edge findings from his study on adolescent smartphone ownership and health risks, and why making recommendations can be challenging when conclusive evidence is lacking. He also provides concrete suggestions for parents, including signs to look for when deciding whether it might be appropriate to introduce a smartphone. In this episode, you will learn: How researchers are using new data techniques to quantify parts of the digital environment that may affect child health and why that matters for families What new, cutting-edge research suggests about the age of first smartphone ownership and negative health outcomesWhat emerging evidence is showing about other digital use patterns and child health - and what questions scientists are still trying to answer How one leading researcher is thinking about digital parenting decisions for his own family based on the new evidence For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

The Costs of Youth Attachment to AI Companions with Pilyoung Kim, PhD

Feb 11, 2026 52 min

AI “friends” and companions are increasingly providing children and adolescents with social interactions and perceived “relationships,” despite being a technology that itself has no need for empathy or emotional reciprocity. What are the costs of attachment to these AI products to children and adolescents’ social skill development? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by Dr. Pilyoung Kim, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver and the Director of the Brain, Artificial Intelligence, and Child Center. A developmental psychologist with a background studying child brain development and early relationships, Dr. Kim recently pivoted her work to focus on these pertinent questions about the effects of children socializing with AI products. Dr. Kim describes her research examining children’s responses to different types of AI systems, explains what makes certain children more vulnerable to developing problematic attachments to chatbots, and suggests better product design approaches to minimize harm while facilitating helpful uses. In this episode, you will learn: What makes AI chatbots feel “human” to kids and why that mattersWhich children are more vulnerable to forming strong attachments to AI “best friends” — and the hidden costs of constant interaction with unconditionally supportive AI toolsWhy children who are still developing their understanding of relationships and appropriate boundaries may be at risk from human-like AI companions How proactive design changes could make AI companions safer for youth to useWhat parents and caregivers can do to help children and adolescents navigate AI companions more safely What researchers urgently need to study next to identify and support youth most at risk of overattachment to AI chatbots For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children...

Does AI Help Students Learn? With Adam Dubé, PhD

Jan 21, 2026 47 min

Schools are increasingly deploying AI-powered technologies in classrooms that promise to revolutionize education, yet there is growing concern over the risks to children and adolescents’ learning by doing so. What do children, adolescents, and teachers think about how AI is being used in the classroom, and do these technologies actually impact learning and key cognitive skill development? In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these questions with educational technology expert Dr. Adam Dubé, Associate Professor of Learning Sciences at McGill University. Dr. Dubé describes his research on how youth and educators view AI, key pitfalls to avoid when using AI for learning, and how past lessons from introducing technologies can inform the way we think about educational AI. He shares what parents need to know about selecting a good educational app for their children, and how to make informed decisions about utilizing technology to enhance, not replace, the learning process. In this episode, you will learn: How relying on AI for task completion can interfere with the development of fundamental skills like creativity and detailed reading.Simple questions educators and students can ask to determine if AI use is offloading thinking or supporting learning.How teachers’ opinions of AI use in the classroom have changed over time and what’s causing growing concern. What is needed for more thoughtful integration of AI into classrooms.How to identify a quality educational app and why parents often overlook those features when selecting digital apps for children. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childre...

Are You Real? Ethics of AI Chatbots and Characters for Children with Sonia Tiwari, PhD

Dec 31, 2025 51 min

Children are increasingly encountering AI characters for both educational and entertainment purposes, but many of the chatbots and other AI products they interact with are not designed with child development and safety in mind. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry pulls back the curtain on AI and child-centered design with Dr. Sonia Tiwari, a children’s media researcher and AI design expert. Drawing on her experience in game character design and her work bridging industry and academia, Dr. Tiwari explores how children think about and are drawn to AI characters, why AI products commonly used by children and adolescents today often fail at prioritizing child development, and the primary risks of child interactions with AI characters. She also offers insights on how products can be better designed to meet children’s and families’ needs, and what kinds of uses of AI characters might be helpful for children. In this episode, you will learn: How AI characters are experienced differently than traditional media characters – and why it matters for children and adolescents.Why the developing brains of younger children have a more difficult time understanding the fictional nature of today’s AI characters.What defines a child-appropriate AI character grounded in developmental science.How parents and caregivers can use AI characters with children in purpose-driven and healthy ways.What social AI platform developers should consider to ensure their products are more ethically designed and centered on children’s developmental needs. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreen...

How Phones Are Making Us More Lonely and Addicted with Meredith David, PhD

Dec 10, 2025 41 min

What is the social cost of looking at your phone when in the company of other people? Is smartphone and social media use making us less connected, more lonely, and addicted to the endless videos on our feed? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses the ways people are becoming more attached to their phones and less connected to others with Dr. Meredith David, Associate Professor of Marketing at Baylor University. Drawing on her diverse portfolio of research, Dr. David shares evidence on how social media use contributes to feelings of loneliness and FOMO, how design features of popular short form video platforms facilitate addictive behaviors, and how “phubbing” – phone-snubbing – negatively impacts a myriad of social relationships. In this episode, you will learn: What a nine year study shows about how social media use and loneliness influence each other. How a “negative cycle” can form between people using their phones in front of each other, reinforcing more phone use in front of others.What a consensus study from more than 120 leading researchers says about social media, sleep, and attention.Why short-form video platforms are so addictive – and which platform is designed to be the most addictive to use.How excessive use of short-form video platforms affects self-control and contributes to what many people call “brain rot.” For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Is My Child Ready for a Smartphone? With Adam Pletter, PsyD

Nov 19, 2025 49 min

A child’s first smartphone is a modern "rite of passage" and today's parents face a challenging decision – when is the right time? Peer pressure and fear of missing out loom heavily, yet there are significant risks to introducing a smart device before a child is ready. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with psychologist and creator of iParent101, Dr. Adam Pletter, about developmental readiness and practical steps for safely introducing a “pocket-sized computer” that allows access to the entirety of the internet. Drawing on his clinical experience and work with both parents and adolescents, Dr. Pletter describes the signs parents can look for to determine whether a child is ready for a smart device, the benefits of parental controls and family communication, and what to do if a child was given access before they were ready. In this episode, you will learn: How to spot the signs that a child may be able to handle the responsibility of smartphone ownership.Why parents and caregivers should plan ahead for adult content exposure when considering the introduction of a smartphone.How easing into personal device ownership with a less-connected “dumb” device is often helpful to prepare children for full smartphone access.Strategies to navigate conflict around child smartphone ownership and media use.How to advocate for safer smartphone design that defaults to child safety and privacy. Why parental controls and family media plans should be part of an evolving and collaborative conversation with kids around screen use. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreen...

Phones in Schools? What the Research Says with Abe Flanigan, PhD

Oct 29, 2025 52 min

Should phones be allowed in the classroom? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Dr. Abraham Flanigan, an associate professor of educational psychology at Georgia Southern University about what phones actually do to attention, memory, and classroom climate. Drawing on his research on digital distraction, Dr. Flanigan sheds light on what teachers and students really think, what changes after phones go away, and perspectives on the utility and impacts of limiting device-use in the classroom. The discussion also addresses how some approaches are more effective than others in engaging students and maintaining rapport. In this episode, you will learn: What the latest research shows on how phones in the classroom affect focus, motivation, self-regulation, and grades.Why multitasking is cognitively impossible.How smartphone use leads to a "dopamine loop" in the brain that can interfere with motivation for other tasks.How students and educators feel about school smartphone bans.Why student smartphone access during school emergencies may actually make them less safe. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Ditch the Guilt: Media, Stress, and Parent-Child Relationships with Dr. Lara Wolfers

Oct 8, 2025 38 min

Parents increasingly recognize how family screen time shapes child development. But that awareness can bring guilt or shame when digital devices creep into daily life. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Dr. Lara Wolfers, a leading researcher on how stress and guilt intersect with family media use, and Assistant Professor of Digital Lives and Head of the Center of Digital Lives at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Dr. Wolfers explains when guilt can be constructive versus when it can be harmful to the parent-child relationship. She offers suggestions for navigating societal pressures and daily demands, and encourages parents to practice self-compassion. In this episode, you will learn: How parents use media for coping and media use links to stress and guilt. Why social standards around limiting digital media use can cause guilt and stress—yet also help adults curb their own use around children.How parent guilt and stress around screen habits can negatively impact parent-child relationships.Why being more intentional with media use can restore control and ease guilt and stress. Why there is a disconnect between how we judge others’ media use vs. our own use.Which variables matter when deciding if screen time is “good” or “bad.” For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Cyberbullying, Sexting, and Building Resilience in Youth with Elizabeth Englander, PhD

Sep 17, 2025 52 min

Social development for today’s youth often includes navigating online social cruelty, such as cyberbullying and non-consensual sexting. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by cyberbullying expert Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University, to discuss her research on teens’ online social behaviors, including cyberbullying and sexting, and her perspective on how to help youth develop resilience with these challenges. Dr. Englander addresses the risk factors associated with these behaviors, including why children engage in them, potential mental health impacts, and who is most vulnerable. Parents will find actionable guidance on how to intervene proactively by initiating conversation, as well as what to do if you suspect your child is a victim of cyberbullying. In this episode, you will learn: How today's technology and the "mob effect" can facilitate cyberbullying and amplify unintentional online cruelty, with longstanding impacts on children.Why even “popular” or self-confident children aren’t immune to cyberbullying.How to prepare children for use of smartphones and other digital devices – and the protective effect of doing so.Why girls are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of cyberbullying and non-consensual sexting.What to do if you suspect your child if is being cyberbullied.Best practices for helpful and productive conversations with youth about cyberbullying and sexting. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music:...

Early Childhood Mental Health and Screen Use with Joan Luby, MD

Aug 27, 2025 40 min

Many people think of mental health disorders as arising later in childhood or adolescence. However, there is increasing evidence that even young children can experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by Joan Luby, a Professor of Child Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine and an expert in early childhood mental health. Dr. Luby discusses how to identify mental health problems in preschool-aged children, and the role of screens in exacerbating these issues. Drawing on her clinical experiences and research, she provides suggestions for parents on how to promote the best socio-emotional outcomes for their young children. In this episode, you will learn: How improved diagnostics tools are helping to identify psychiatric and mood disorders in children as young as three years old.What unique signs and symptoms to look for in young children that may indicate they are experiencing anxiety, depression, or other concerns. Why considering environmental factors is important when evaluating child mental health.How high amounts of screen use by young children can impact their mental health and social/emotional regulation.The five essential ingredients young children need to thrive. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Children's Rights in Digital Safety and Design with Sonia Livingstone

Aug 6, 2025 49 min

From parent and school restrictions on smartphone use to the design of the latest AI tools, what does it mean to center children’s own perspectives and rights in ensuring safety in their online worlds? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Sonia Livingstone, Professor at the London School of Economics and leader of the Digital Futures for Children centre and the Five Rights Foundation, to explore the intersection of children’s rights, parental mediation, and public policy in the digital world. Drawing on her research and policy work, Dr. Livingstone describes how parents can best help mitigate online risks, and how policies should help protect children from harmful online content and mechanisms while reinforcing their rights to privacy and autonomy. Dr. Livingstone emphasizes the importance of talking to children to learn how they feel about various technologies and incorporating their insightful perspectives into both household rules and macro-level policy. In this episode, you will learn: What children themselves say about the kinds of support they need from parents and communities. Research results on the most effective parenting strategies for keeping children safe onlineHow income, access, and background shape online safety risks. How the new AI Design Code could help developers prioritize children’s safety in in design.Why addressing harmful algorithms through regulation of online platforms is key to increasing child online safety.What the latest research says about the effectiveness of school phone bans and their impact on learning and child well-being. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child De...

Reading and Writing Skills in the Age of AI with Naomi Baron, PhD

Jul 16, 2025 55 min

How are screen-based reading and writing, along with the growing use of generative AI by youth, shaping children’s development of foundational literacy skills? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these nuanced questions with Dr. Naomi Baron, Professor Emerita of Linguistics at American University and a leading expert on reading and writing with technology. Dr. Baron outlines how reading and writing look differently on screens versus print, and what students think about the benefits and drawbacks of using each. She then dives into the research on generative AI and how tools like ChatGPT may be altering the reading, writing, and critical thinking process of young learners. In this episode, you will learn: How the development of reading and writing skills interact with cognitive and social skills and identity development.What research says about comprehension from reading print versus digital formats – and how that differs from our personal perceptions.Why engaging e-books may distract children from becoming strong, focused readers. What recent studies show about differences in brain activity when writing by hand, typing, or using AI like ChatGPT for writing – and why it matters for learning.Positive ways to use AI with children to spark creativity and boost critical thinking. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Social Media, Anxiety, and Emotion Regulation in Teens with Sarah Myruski, PhD

Jun 25, 2025 50 min

The relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health issues like anxiety is complex, and researchers continue to probe the mechanisms and causalities that may be involved in this relationship. In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Dr. Sarah Myruski, Assistant Research Professor of Psychology at Pennsylvania State University about recent neuroimaging findings that indicate an important role for emotion regulation skills in the association between anxiety and social media use. Dr. Myruski delves into her work on adolescents and social media use, exploring how brain imaging tools are helping to define how preferences for communicating emotions online and coping strategies relate to differences in emotion regulation and risk for anxiety. Dr. Myruski also provides important insights for parents about how their support can play a powerful role in helping their child’s emotion regulation skills. In this episode, you will learn: How brain science helps us understand emotion regulation and anxiety.How adolescent preferences for digital communication may relate to anxiety and which youth are most vulnerable. Why age may affect the way youth use digital media to cope with stress.How anxiety may work to make neutral or ambiguous stimuli seem threatening.What type of parenting behavior best supports development of healthy emotional regulation. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

The Science of Boredom with James Danckert, PhD

Jun 4, 2025 45 min

Boredom is a common and frequently misunderstood psychological state for adults and children alike. On this episode, host Kris Perry goes deep with leading boredom researcher James Danckert, PhD, a Professor of Neuroscience at University of Waterloo. Dr. Danckert explains the unique neural state of boredom, dispels both positive and negative myths about it, and explains how boredom is distinct from other feelings. Sharing research that indicates boredom is on the rise, Dr. Danckert delves into how boredom is a “call to action” that can be motivating, and how it relates to other issues like attention, loneliness, self-control, multitasking, and increased digital media use. In this episode, you will learn: Why boredom isn’t just a lack of stimulation, but an active, complex psychological state.What neural imaging studies show about people who are prone to boredom. How boredom proneness relates to attention, focus, ADHD, depression, anxiety, self-control, media multitasking, and loneliness. The important difference between encouraging “down time” instead of boredom for children.Why children are more prone to boredom than adults.Research findings on the relationship between boredom proneness and problematic smartphone use. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Assessing Child Readiness for Tech with Jenny Radesky, MD

May 14, 2025 1 hr 1 min

Parents and caregivers today face what can feel like momentous and fraught decisions about how and when to introduce new technology to children — whether that be an iPad for a toddler or a smartphone for a tween. In this special episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with a leading voice on digital parenting and youth development, Dr. Jenny Radesky. A Professor of Pediatrics at University of Michigan Medical School and co-Medical Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, Dr. Radesky provides invaluable advice for parents on all things digital media, from a nuanced view on how to determine when a child is ready for new tech to tips on evaluating the quality of children’s programming. She describes how digital media can displace important experiences for children’s learning and growth, and how parents can minimize harm and maximize the benefits of family digital media use. In this episode, you will learn: How to spot the developmental signs that a young child may — or may not — be ready for tech introduction.Quick tips for evaluating whether media content for children is of high quality — or should be avoided.What research shows about using screens to calm children — and its impact on building the skills needed for emotional regulation.Why the “daily frictions” and “tiny dramas” of life are essential for building children’s resilience and coping skills.Why restricting child access or time spent on digital media is not effective as a parenting tool — and what to try instead.Key signs a teen or tween might be ready — for their first smartphone.How digital media and experiences are designed to hook the brain’s reward system, rather than develop problem-solving skills. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children...

AI's Impact on Children's Social and Cognitive Development with Ying Xu, PhD

Apr 23, 2025 49 min

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence systems continue to be deployed rapidly for use in commonly available tools online. How do today’s AI technologies affect children’s development? Will accessible AI tools erode children’s critical thinking skills? Will chatbots disrupt children’s ability to socialize properly? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these timely questions with Dr. Ying Xu, Assistant Professor of AI in Learning and Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Xu draws on her research and emerging insights from the field in a nuanced discussion of how children currently think about AI technologies, and the potential risks and benefits of AI for children’s cognitive and social development. She provides suggestions for the ethical development and implementation of AI, with an emphasis on including children in the design process. In this episode, you will learn: How children are interacting with generative AI and other new AI tools.What the latest research says about AI’s impacts on children’s social development.Where AI can support children’s learning - and where it risks “outsourcing” independent thinking and critical problem-solving skills.How to tell whether an AI product is appropriate for a child at a specific age.What AI developers could do to make AI tools safer and developmentally-appropriate for young users.Why “co-learning” with your children is essential as AI tools continue to evolve. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released un...

Neurodivergent Children and Media Use with Meryl Alper, PhD

Apr 2, 2025 49 min

Neurodivergent children’s relationships with technology is subject to many common myths and misconceptions: Does digital media use cause ADHD? Do children with autism have more affinity for screens? In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry and Dr. Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University, address these myths and what her research on digital media and neurodivergent youth can tell us about how they experience media use and potential overuse. Dr. Alper describes in detail the unique opportunities and risks of digital media for children with autism and ADHD, and provides actionable tips for parents, clinicians, and children’s media companies to best accommodate and include children across the spectrum of neurodiversity. In this episode, you will learn: The risks and benefits of media use for neurodivergent youth.How to think beyond “time spent” on media to evaluate healthy or problematic use.Why platforms like TikTok are popular for self-diagnosis and identity exploration, and the risks that come with it. Unique considerations for neurodivergent youth when using social media platforms that rely on manipulative algorithms. What neurodivergent youth say they really want from their digital media experiences, based on Dr. Alper’s interviews. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Harmful Social Media Algorithms and Children with Imran Ahmed

Mar 12, 2025 50 min

Social media platforms are feeding youth harmful content—fast. From hate speech to pro-eating disorder posts and disinformation, powerful algorithms push dangerous content straight to children. But why? And what can be done to stop it? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about the hidden dangers of social media algorithms, the risks youth face on various popular platforms, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in digital spaces. In this episode, you will learn: How quickly social media algorithms deliver harmful content to children, such as pro-eating disorder and drug content.Why platforms are aware of this issue—but choose not to do anything about it.The need for transparency into social media algorithms to keep children safe from harmful content.What kind of advocacy is needed to drive stronger protections—and how recent advancements in European policies may provide a model.The STAR framework for social media reform: Safety by design, Transparency, Accountability and Economic Responsibility. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD

Feb 19, 2025 50 min

The majority of today’s adolescents are video gaming - for many, daily. How much gaming is too much ? Are violent video games actually harmful to children? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Dr. Douglas Gentile, a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University and renowned video gaming expert. Dr. Gentile discusses the latest research on which aspects of gaming can affect child health and development, and the effects of violent media – including video games – on children’s aggressive feelings and behaviors. He also discusses the prevalence of gaming addiction and what features of games make them potentially addictive to children. Finally, Dr. Gentile explains how video games can have positive effects on social behavior and learning as well, and the power parents have to influence their children’s media use and behavioral outcomes. In this episode, you will learn: How the 5 “C’s” of video gaming work together to impact child behavior and health.Why violent video games are linked to increased aggression in youth - and three major effects of violent media.Why even “cute” animated video games can increase aggression in kids, just as realistically violent games.How many children are struggling with gaming addiction - and how to recognize the warning signs .When video games help children learn and encourage prosocial behavior. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Social Media, Mental Health, and Adolescent Social Dynamics with Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP

Jan 29, 2025 42 min

How has social media changed the way teens socialize and interact - and is it affecting their mental health? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with researcher and Chief of Psychology of the American Psychological Association Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP. Dr. Prinstein describes his research on popularity and likeability in adolescence, and how social media factors into these social dynamics. He also explores how certain aspects of social media, such as social comparison, can yield negative mental health impacts for teens. Finally, Dr. Prinstein takes listeners beneath the surface to discuss his research on the impacts of social media on the brain, explaining how some children might be more susceptible to the negative mental health effects of social media than others, and what parents can do to prevent these effects. In this episode you will learn: The difference between popularity and likability - and which is linked to better life outcomes.How social media has changed social dynamics and how these changes affect the developing brain.What research is saying about teen social media use and the development of mental health conditions.Conversation prompts to help adults better understand their adolescent’s social media habits and assess if they may be cause for concern.How the relationship between social media use and sleep affects overall adolescent health and well-being.Which uses of social media can be healthy and beneficial for adolescents. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott...

Language Development, Learning, and Play in Early Childhood with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD

Jan 8, 2025 49 min

Learning language involves much more than memorizing the ABCs. How do babies and toddlers acquire language and how can parents and caregivers foster its optimal development? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by renowned child development researcher Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, to discuss children’s language development, learning, and play in the digital age. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek emphasizes the importance of social interaction in the development of language, and discusses how digital media typically lacks this critical aspect and may even interrupt the language-learning process. She also describes the key pillars of learning gleaned from decades of research and the effectiveness of guided play in achieving learning outcomes. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek provides listeners with key insights on choosing effective educational apps, as well as maximizing learning opportunities, and critical skills children must develop for the digital future. In this episode you will learn: How babies and young children develop language.Why the quality and quantity of caregiver interactions shape a child’s early language journey.How media use – by children and parents alike - can affect learning and development. Why play is an important aspect of successful learning - and how best to incorporate it.How to evaluate and choose learning apps that benefit young children.The “6 C’s” of critical learning children need to thrive in the digital age. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.s...

Adolescent Health, Body Image/Eating Disorders and Media Use with Jason Nagata, MD, MSc

Dec 18, 2024 40 min

How does adolescents’ use of digital media , particularly of image-based social media platforms, influence and amplify their body image concerns? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Jason Nagata, a distinguished researcher and a pediatrician, to explore the complex relationship between digital media use and adolescents’ physical and mental health. Dr. Nagata sheds light on the connection between digital media, body image issues, and eating disorders– particularly among boys, who are often overlooked in discussions on this topic. He delves into how boys’ body image challenges and eating disorders often present differently from those of girls. In addition, he shares research findings linking specific mental health symptoms to use of digital media, explores other health outcomes linked to digital media use, and discusses demographic and gender-based differences in media-usage patterns and their impacts on adolescent health outcomes. In this episode you will learn: What the ABCD study is and why it’s providing quality data for research into adolescent screen use and health.What mental health symptoms in adolescents are most associated with high amounts of screen use.Gender and other demographic differences in screen uses and their health impacts in adolescents.What aspects of screen use are most impacting body image and eating disorder symptoms in youth.How teen boys are experiencing body image pressure from media - and differences in how their body image disorder symptoms present.What warning signs parents and caregivers can watch for that indicate an adolescent’s attention to exercise is becoming unhealthy.The biggest predictor of high amounts of adolescent screen time (hint: parents). For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Childre...

Young Child Learning, Attention, and Screen Use with Heather Kirkorian, PhD

Nov 27, 2024 33 min

When a young child watches TV or uses a digital tablet are they able to learn from what they see? What are the effects of media use on the development of attentional networks? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks to Dr. Heather Kirkorian about how digital media impacts learning, cognition, and attention in young children. Dr. Kirkorian describes the developmental milestones that allow for learning from digital media, explains the “video deficit effect” – the finding that young children have a hard time transferring things they learn on screens to the real world – and how interactive elements of digital devices may support or impede learning. Dr. Kirkorian also shares findings on how background television can disrupt parent-child interactions critical for early learning, as well as suggestions for parents in choosing high quality media for younger children. In this episode you will learn: How media use affects young children’s attention and learning.How interactivity and engagement in digital media affects young children’s ability to learn.What developmental milestones indicate that a child is ready to learn from digital media {and what supports they might need to enhance learning.} Why young children are more likely to learn from real-life demonstrations than video. How to choose high quality media content and use it to support young children’s learning.How background TV exposure can affect young child attention. Dr. Heather Kirkorian is the Laura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development and a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has affiliate appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Educational Psychology at UW-Madison. Dr. Kirkorian is a developmental psychologist who studies cognitive development in infants and young children, particularly in the context of TV and digital media. She uses a combination of behavioral, observational, and psychophysiological methods to st...

Introducing the Screen Deep Podcast

Nov 20, 2024 1 min

Introducing the Screen Deep podcast - where we go on deep dives with leading experts to decode child and adolescent brains and behavior in a digital world. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Parent Media Use, Technoference, and Its Effects on Children with Brandon McDaniel, PhD

Nov 6, 2024 43 min

Parents worried about child media use may not be aware that their own media use patterns at home may be significantly affecting their children. In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses “technoference” – the interference of technology in relationships – with the researcher who coined that term, Dr. Brandon McDaniel. Dr. McDaniel shares results from his work on how parent device use can affect relationships and impact children from infancy through adolescence, how children may manifest these impacts through behavior, as well as how parental mental health and stress inform and are informed by their own technology use. Dr. McDaniel discusses the challenges of limiting phone use, and provides suggestions for how parents can model healthy device use during family time, work to be more present in interactions with their children, and manage co-parenting conflict around family media use rules. In this episode you will learn: What “technoference” and “phubbing” mean. How parental technoference affects children of all ages.Behavioral signs in infants, children, and adolescents that may indicate negative effects of parent media use. How parent stress and mental health influence media use and impact children.Early findings from an ongoing research study on parents of infants and the connection between their media use and mental health.Where the research is going to better understand the complex interplay between parent media use, child development, and behavior. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by...

The Neuroscience of Adolescent Digital and Behavioral Addictions with Dr. Marc Potenza

Oct 16, 2024 40 min

Concern about youth digital addiction is a relatively recent but significant addition to the list of common worries for parents of adolescents in the past few decades. What exactly is digital addiction, and how does it relate to other forms of addiction such as gambling and substance-use disorders? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Marc Potenza, MD, PhD, to discuss his pioneering research on Internet and behavioral addiction. Marc discusses the brain science behind adolescent vulnerability to digital addiction and its similarities to other addictions, and differences between individuals that might explain why some teens are more prone to problematic use of digital media. He also describes his work with colleagues on determining the diagnostic criteria for behavioral addictions, gambling in video games, and resources for parents. In this episode you will learn: How Dr. Potenza and other researchers first identified gaming and other internet use disorders. What brain imaging can tell us about the specific brain patterns associated with behavioral addictions in adolescents.How natural changes in the adolescent brain make teens more vulnerable to digital and behavioral addictions.What factors contribute to the development of addictive disorders in young people.Why some youth are more resilient to risk factors for addiction than others.About groundbreaking new research showing similarities in brain patterns between adults who started drinking heavily early in life and 9-10 year-olds with heavy internet use and behavioral issues. For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Blu...

Adolescent Brain Development and Social Media Use with Eva Telzer, PhD

Sep 25, 2024 43 min

Adolescence is an exciting period of life shaped by risks, rewards, and rapid changes in the brain. On this episode of Screen Deep, we explore how adolescent brains affect and are affected by their digital media use with Eva Telzer, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Co-Director of the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development. An expert on adolescent neuroscience, behavior, and media use, Telzer discusses insights from her large and growing body of research, including multi-year projects investigating the dynamic relationship between teens’ social media use and the makeup of their brain. How does social media trigger the reward system of the brain? Can teens’ habitual smartphone behaviors impact their developing brains? Are some teens more prone to problematic smartphone use than others? Tune in to hear how Telzer’s research helps answer these questions. In this episode you will learn: Why social reward cues (likes, comments, etc) have a unique impact on the developing adolescent brainHow research utilizing functional MRI is expanding our knowledge about changes in the brains of adolescents habitually engaging in social media use What neurological factors put some teens at a higher risk for problematic social media use than othersHow research dispels popular stereotypes of adolescents as high risk takers and dependent on peer influenceHow the reward system in the brain works and ways it can be redirected for positive social behaviors and connections online by adolescents For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @ch...

Screen Time and Sleep - Quality, Quantity, and Context with Lauren Hale, PhD

Sep 24, 2024 46 min

Sleep is an essential part of life, and the quality and quantity of a person’s nightly sleep has wide-ranging impacts on cognition, behavior, and health. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses children and teens’ sleep and its relationship to digital media with Dr. Lauren Hale, Professor of Family, Population, and Preventative Medicine at Stony Brook University and Founding Editor in Chief of the Sleep Health Journal. Dr. Hale provides an overview of research into the impacts of digital media on teens’ sleep, including insights from a 2024 scientific consensus panel that evaluated how different aspects of digital device use influence sleep. She also discusses the societal implications of teens’ poor sleep health, and the policy changes that could improve them. In this episode you'll learn: Why sleep is important for cognitive and overall health - and why sleep regularity may be as important as durationWhich populations are getting less sleep and possible consequencesWhat the latest research tells us about technology use and sleep - delayed sleep, sleep duration, impaired sleep quality, digital sleep interruption, and blue light What types of screen use and media content are associated with poorer sleep quality for youthWhy abolishing Daylight Savings Time and changing school start times may positively impact youth sleep health For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Early Childhood Development and Screen Use with Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH

Sep 24, 2024 39 min

On this inaugural episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry interviews Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, about his decades of experience investigating the impact of screens in early childhood, from baby videos to tablet apps. Drawing on his experience as a leading researcher, pediatrician, and parent, Dimitri shares both historical and recent findings on screen use among very young children, particularly its possible uses for early learning and its relationship to cognitive and language development. He emphasizes the importance of caregiver-child interactions, and the risk that digital media can displace this important facet of development. He also suggests that more can be done to hold tech companies accountable and make it easier for parents to make decisions about what media to choose for their children. In this episode you will learn: How brains develop in early childhood and what the research says on media use for infants under 18 monthsWhy introducing “learning” technology in early childhood may negatively affect cognitive and language development The importance of “joint attention” in infant development - and why caregiver interaction is crucial during this timeHow engaging apps make it more difficult to command young children’s attention For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org) -------------- Follow Children and Screens on: Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Instagram: @childrenandscreens LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development X: @childrenscreens Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social --------------- Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

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Podcast details

Created by: Children and Screens
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 11, 2026
Episodes: 41
Release period: Monthly
Avg. episode length: 45 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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