Digital Wellness Lab

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

TONIGHT 🚨 Live Tech Q&A for Families!   Join Nicole Powell and Katrina Ho, MA from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital for real, research-backed answers to parents’ top concerns about screen time, social media, and new AI tools.   We’ll start with a set of frequently asked questions and then open up the discussion, with no digital topic off-limits.   Don't miss this opportunity to get direct access to our research team and hear what the science actually says about youth, media and tech.   🗓️ Tuesday, Oct 6 | 3:30 pm PT / 6:30 pm ET 📍 Free | 60 minutes | LIVE on Zoom 🔗 Register and share with a friend: https://lnkd.in/e9HEkEwn ▶️ Everyone who registers will receive the full recording sent straight to their inbox to watch whenever works best.   Supported by Verizon as the final session in our webinar series on healthy digital habits for families. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8PutY_5   We look forward to seeing you tonight!   #DigitalWellness #Parenting #AsktheExperts #ScreenTime #FamilyWellbeing #TechLifeBalance

As digital wellness researchers, we get asked questions constantly by parents looking for real guidance on screen time, social media, and new AI tools.   The truth is, digital wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for a toddler won't work for a teen, and every family's dynamic looks different.   That’s why we are hosting "Let's Talk Tech: A Live Q&A on Family Digital Wellbeing." We’re bringing evidence-based answers to your most burning tech questions across all ages and stages. No judgment, no quick fixes—just real, research-backed guidance from experts at The Digital Wellness Lab Boston Children's Hospital ready to tackle your biggest digital wellness questions LIVE.   🗓️ Tuesday, Oct 6 | 3:30 pm PT / 6:30 pm ET 📍 Free | 60 minutes | Live on Zoom   🔗 Register now and share with a friend: https://lnkd.in/ePyTSDAx   Don't miss this opportunity to get direct access to our team and hear what the science actually says about youth, media and tech!   Can’t make it live? Register anyway—every registrant receives the full recording to watch on their own time.   Supported by Verizon as part of our free fall webinar series on healthy digital habits for families.   #DigitalWellness #Parenting #DigitalSafety #ScreenTime #FamilyWellbeing #TechLifeBalance

Digital technologies are a pervasive part of childhood and adolescence, raising critical questions about how they impact developing brains.   Mark your calendars! On October 26, 2026, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will host a public workshop bringing together leading experts—including the Lab's Founder and Director Dr. Michael Rich—to unpack current neuroscience research, methodological challenges, displacement effects, and the future role of AI.   Public registration is open for both in-person and virtual attendance.   Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gVtqaDyz   #DigitalWellness #Neuroscience #ChildDevelopment #BrainDevelopment #MediaAndYouth #NationalAcademies

****UPDATE 9/29- EVENT RESCHEDULED TO 10/10 from 12-2**** Boston families: we can’t wait to see you on Saturday 10/10 at Family Digital Wellness Day! Stop by the Roxbury YMCA anytime between 12-2 pm for fun digital wellness activities and pizza. 📅 Saturday 10/10 from 12-2, stop by for all or part of the time 📍 Roxbury YMCA | 285 Martin Luther King Blvd, Roxbury, MA 🎉 This free event is open to the public and includes interactive activities to help your family establish digital wellness habits, and pizza!  📱We’re the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, a research and innovation lab within Sesame Workshop that advances positive futures for kids in the digital age. This event is co-presented by our friends at The GIANT Room and Boston Children's Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab in partnership with Verizon (supporting Verizon’s Digital Wellness initiative: https://lnkd.in/ei6Am9d3) cc: YMCA of Greater Boston #bostonkids #bostonfamilies

TONIGHT: FREE LIVE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS   Researchers Hannah Chidekel, MPH and Edith Wang from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital will be answering the questions families ask us most—about screen time, first phones, social media, video games, AI, and more   FINDING BALANCE: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR YOUR FAMILY’S DIGITAL WELLBEING Tonight, Sept 24 3:30 pm ET / 6:30 pm PT Virtual (Zoom link provided after registration)   An hour of research-backed, judgment-free guidance, with time for your questions.   Can’t make it live? Register anyway. Every registrant gets the recording to watch whenever it works for you. These webinars are part of a free series of ongoing educational sessions supported by Verizon to support your family's online choices.   Save your spot: https://lnkd.in/gNwNds3u   And if you know a parent, caregiver, or teacher who could benefit from this webinar, please tag them or share this post!    #DigitalWellness #Parenting #ScreenTime #FamilyTech

What are screens, social media, and AI really doing to childhood—and are bans the answer?   In a new episode of the Digital Childhood series, Dr. Michael Rich joins Sidharth Pandey for a wide-ranging conversation on children, technology, digital wellbeing, and parenting.   Together they explore why the debate around youth and tech is far more complicated than simply labeling screens as “good” or “bad.”   Key topics covered in this discussion:   ▪  Emotional Connections to AI: examining whether children and teens can form significant relationships with conversational AI   ▪  The Displacement Effect: understanding why screen time is the wrong measure, and how tech displaces sleep, exercise, boredom, and family time   ▪  Defining Problematic Interactive Media Use: what PIMU actually is and when heavy use becomes problematic   ▪  Policy & Accountability: whether social media bans work and who should carry responsibility—parents, schools, tech platforms, or regulators   ▪  The Five Ms of Digital Wellness: practical tools for healthier digital lives: Model, Mentor, Monitor, Mastery, and Make Memories Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/ghV2r3DE   #DigitalWellness #DigitalChildhood #PIMU #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #MediaAndYouth