AI's Impact on Children's Social and Cognitive Development with Ying Xu, PhD
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 DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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49:50
Neurodivergent Children and Media Use with Meryl Alper, PhD
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 DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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49:33
Harmful Social Media Algorithms and Children with Imran Ahmed
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 DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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50:22
Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD
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 DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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50:03
Social Media, Mental Health, and Adolescent Social Dynamics with Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP
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 DevelopmentInstagram: @childrenandscreensLinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child DevelopmentX: @childrenscreensBluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social---------------Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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.
USA