Digital Wellness Lab

Important new research from The Jed Foundation (JED)—with input from our team at the Digital Wellness Lab including Dr. Zhiying (Zoey) Yue, Hannah Chidekel, MPH, and Dr. David Bickham—sheds critical light on how teens are turning to AI during moments of emotional need. The findings reveal a profound connection between adolescent AI use, particularly for emotional companionship, and youth mental health and wellbeing. This is an essential read for educators, clinicians, policymakers, and tech developers as we work together to build meaningful safeguards for young people: https://bit.ly/4se96La

At the SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS (SDBP) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Dr. Najat Fadlallah, MD. presented foundational research on online gaming behaviors, comparing neurodivergent and neurotypical adolescents.   Her poster—co-authored with Dr. Zhiying (Zoey) Yue, Sam Schwamm, Dr. Michael Rich, and Dr. David Bickham—explores how digital gaming meets distinct developmental needs like belonging, community, and emotional support across different youth populations.   By shifting the focus from rigid screen-time limits to real-world impact, this work empowers clinicians, educators, and families to see the whole picture—recognizing where technology builds genuine community, where it serves as a vital emotional outlet, and how we can guide all youth toward lasting digital wellbeing.   Congratulations, Dr. Fadlallah, on a fantastic presentation! 👏   #DigitalWellness #OnlineGamingResearch #NeurodivergentResearch #NeurotypicalResearch #AdolescentWellbeing

We had an amazing time co-hosting the 2026 Amplify Youth Summit in Nashville last week alongside the National Association for Media Literacy Education. We are so deeply grateful to all of our incredible youth participants, representing 30+ organizations in the US and Canada, who brought such powerful insights on digital media, youth safety, and technology design. Co-creating a healthier digital future alongside young leaders is at the heart of our work at the Digital Wellness Lab, and we look forward to sharing much more from the UnMuted Summit soon!

How are generative AI and digital tools altering human cognition, attention, memory, and critical thinking?   Last week, Massachusetts Institute of Technology brought together cognitive science experts, researchers, and industry leaders for "AI and the Brain"—an afternoon of public presentations and panel discussions on the cognitive impacts of emerging technology.   As part of the program, Dr. Michael Rich highlighted the evolving arc of youth media—from static TV screens to interactive voice assistants and embodied AI companions.   As AI becomes a daily presence in young people’s lives, early research findings at the Digital Wellness Lab reveal a profound shift in how youth connect, learn, and make decisions: ▪ Perception & Relationship: 46% of daily teen AI users view chatbots as actual entities, 51% engage in emotional conversations with them, and 49% have developed close personal relationships with an AI companion. ▪ Decision-Making: 49% of daily users consult AI before making personal decisions (vs. 18% of non-daily users). ▪ Academic Learning: Over a third of teens regularly turn to AI for schoolwork, largely when feeling stuck on how to solve a problem. AI isn't just another medium—it is a "supercharged" form of interactivity: responsive, sycophantic, adaptive, personalized, and yet uniquely homogenizing. As we study everything from AI toys for toddlers to companion apps for teens, our goal remains clear: understanding these human-AI dynamics to foster healthy, balanced environments for young people.   #DigitalWellness #AIAndTheBrain #ArtificialIntelligence #CognitiveScience #YouthMedia

Are you a parent, caregiver, educator, or maker of digital products looking for a roadmap to help kids build healthier relationships with technology? Please join us for our free webinar, “Raising Kids in a Digital World: What the Research Says—and What Parents Can Do,” on Wednesday 11/4 at 4:00 pm ET. 📅 Wednesday 11/4, 4-5 pm ET 📍 Virtual event via Zoom 🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/484bOts Our panelists will unpack findings from years of research on kids, families, and technology, including the "Family Tech Cycle," a framework that maps how families continuously navigate access, safety, trust, and independence around screens and devices. The conversation will also spotlight an often-overlooked issue: the added challenges facing families raising children with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles, and what emerging research suggests families and caregivers can do about it. Speakers will discuss practical, tangible takeaways — one thing each family can try today, and one conversation to start with their kids tonight. 👤 Moderator: Medha Tare (Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop). Speakers: Amanda Lenhart (Cooney Center), Meryl Alper (Northeastern University), David Bickham (Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital), Larry Brown (parent) This event is part of the Digital Habits for a Healthy Future initiative, supported by Verizon's Digital Wellness initiative. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47oGPYX #techwellbeing #digitalwellbeing #screentime #digitalwellness

Following an exceptionally competitive application process, we are proud to announce our 2026–2027 Student Advisory Council! Please join us in welcoming 21 extraordinary high school and college students who will be advising the Lab from October 2026 through April 2027.   Meet our Council members here: https://lnkd.in/etDkfZsP   Authentic teen voices are foundational to our research at the Digital Wellness Lab. Now in its fifth year, the Council has engaged over 100 teens whose insights, perspectives, and lived experiences are directly reflected across our research topics, studies, and ongoing national conversations.   Our recent kickoff meeting highlighted two clear, simultaneous priorities for today's digital reality: navigating the technology that already defines our daily lives, and actively shaping the architecture of the tech to come. To meet both challenges, this year's Council operates across two specialized tracks:   ✍️ Changemakers: Focused on translating research into immediate community action. These students are tackling pressing current challenges—from restrictive phone policies and social media dynamics to online mental health—by designing and executing individual action projects in their schools and communities with Lab mentorship. 💡Architects: Focused on the future of development. Working closely with tech creators and centering heavily on AI, chatbots, and generative systems, this group is hands-on testing emerging tools and collaborating on co-authored industry recommendations to build safer digital environments from inception. The caliber of insight, rigor, and vision these students brought to our opening session set an exceptionally high bar for the months ahead. Stay tuned for updates on their work and collaborations!   #DigitalWellness #StudentAdvisoryCouncil #YouthVoice #YouthLeadership

How do we keep young people safe online without completely locking them out of digital spaces?   This week, the Lab's Research Director Dr. David Bickham joins an international panel of experts in Tokyo for the Symposium on Youth & Digital Space: Evidence-Based Approaches to Digital Safety, hosted by Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI).   Ahead of Japan’s planned 2027 legislative updates—which focus on reforming youth internet safety through targeted risk management and stricter age verification rather than a blanket social media ban—this multi-stakeholder gathering is driving crucial evidence-based policy discussions.   Dr. Bickham will be featured in a panel titled “Social Media and Youth Health: Evidence for Regulatory Effects,” moderated by Kenta Minamiya of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto alongside co-speakers child psychiatrist Masaki Seki and Taishi Kitamura of the Kurihama Medical Center.   The key discussions will center on distinguishing evidence-backed impacts from media panic, shifting policies away from strict bans toward effective risk management and digital literacy, and amplifying youth voices regarding the true value of their online spaces.   Real progress in digital safety doesn't come from closing doors—it comes from building smarter policies grounded in evidence and youth perspective. We are honored to bring our research to Tokyo to help to help build a more informed, balanced future for youth online.   #DigitalWellness #YouthSafety #DigitalLiteracy #BostonChildrensHospital #HarvardMedicalSchool #KeioUniversity #YouthVoice #TechPolicy

Navigating how AI tools shape our kids is uncharted territory for many families. That was the central focus of the Parent Forum in NYC last week.   Our team joined the conversation, where Dr. Michael Rich (Director and Founder of the Digital Wellness Lab) moderated a fireside chat with Emily Oster (ParentData), Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey (Mother AI), and Dr. Allison Fine Mishkin (OpenAI).   A few key themes shaped the evening: ▪ Be honest and engaged: We can’t separate kids from tech, so lean into open dialogue. Ask what they find helpful (or untrustworthy) to set rules together without shutting down communication. ▪ Tools vs. people: Remind teens that while AI is great for brainstorming, it can't replace real human connection, advice, or support. ▪ No single playbook: Questions around homework, limits, and overuse don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. Parents don't need to have everything figured out right away—starting the conversation is what matters.   Navigating AI with our kids isn't about having all the answers today—it's about staying connected and learning together. We're honored to bring youth and family perspectives to these critical conversations. Thank you to everyone who made the Parent Forum such a success!   #DigitalWellness #Parenting #ArtificialIntelligence #YouthVoice

Gen Z has never been more open about mental health—yet anxiety, loneliness, and psychological distress continue to rise while millions struggle to access timely, affordable, and culturally responsive care. As traditional systems strain under demand, young people are already looking beyond the therapist’s office, turning to peers, schools, digital technologies, and community spaces for support.   Last weekend, at the German American Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School, Lab Scientist Dr. Zhiying (Zoey) Yue participated on the panel “Where Healing Begins: The Future of Gen Z Mental Health.” She was joined by Errika S. Brooks, M.S.Ed (Gen Z Times), Marlen Christ (Mental Health Initiative), Dr. Vikram Patel (Harvard Medical School), and Dr. Sabine Wilhelm (Harvard Medical School).   Bringing together transatlantic perspectives, the conversation tackled a fundamental question: if therapy alone cannot meet the scale of this crisis, who gets to heal Gen Z, where should healing happen, and what should count as care?   At the Lab, we are honored to contribute our research on adolescent digital experiences to this vital global dialogue.   #DigitalWellness #GenZMentalHealth #GAC2026 #HarvardKennedySchool #YouthWellbeing #MentalHealthCare

Boston-area families, the wait is over! After being rained out by the recent nor’easter, the Family Digital Wellness Day is officially back on for this Saturday, October 10.   Ready to build healthy tech habits and smart digital strategies for the new school year?   The Digital Wellness Lab is teaming up with Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, The GIANT Room, Verizon, and other local partners to host a fun, free event packed with activities to help your household thrive online and off.   What to Expect:   ▪  Interactive Fun: Open-house style with hands-on STEM projects, engaging games, and creative activities for kids of all ages.   ▪  Perks & Giveaways: Free food, exciting prizes, and helpful resources you can bring home! Updated Event Details: 📅 When: Saturday, October 10 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 📍 Where: YMCA of Greater Boston | 285 Martin Luther King Blvd, Roxbury, MA 🎟️ Cost: FREE (no advance RSVP required)   Bring the whole family out for an inspiring, empowering afternoon. We can’t wait to see you this weekend!   #DigitalWellnessEvent #TechHabits #OnlineandOff #ThriveOnline