What if the key to navigating teens and technology isn’t in having all the answers but in asking the right questions? In this season finale of Connected & Courageous: Tech & Teens, host Erin unpacks the biggest takeaways from this mini-series. From cyberbullying to online creativity, what are the consistent threads that experts keep pointing…  Read More →

Parents often ask whether or not gifting technology is the “right thing to do.” But instead of asking questions about “right or wrong” or “good or bad,” research indicates that the when, why, what, and with whom of technology is just as important as the mere presence or absence of a new device or game. In this episode,…  Read More →

Research on the “average teen” doesn’t always capture the complex realities of our own kids. This is certainly true when it comes to the often-misunderstood tech practices of teens with autism. As you will hear in this episode, Dr. Meryl Alper of Northeastern University imagines a future that centers the worldviews, needs, and desires of…  Read More →

Few of us experience technology transitions with ease and joy one hundred percent of the time. Handing over a device or wrapping up a gaming session can ignite a range of feelings for young people. This, in turn, can ignite a range of feelings in the adults around them. It doesn’t always go well. In…  Read More →

While there are certainly “online only” threats, tech also tends to mirror and magnify offline dynamics we shouldn’t ignore – including racial discrimination. In this episode, researcher and professor Dr. Henry Willis of the University of Maryland shares insights on how online and offline experiences of racism are connected and highlights both the resilience of…  Read More →

Social media and constant news updates can overwhelm our nervous systems, yet our brains are wired to seek out information during uncertain times. These times demand our engagement. So how do we ensure that our digital habits allow us to do so thoughtfully and without sacrificing our mental health? In this episode, Erin reads an…  Read More →

Everyone has a strong opinion when it comes to when kids should get their first device. But what does the science say? In this episode, Erin reads an article that explores: What the data does and doesn’t tell us about first phones. Why identifying a specific age often loses the point. A compelling framework to…  Read More →

If there is one topic that we adults tend to both AVOID talking about and are in desperate need of information and support around – it’s internet porn. Yet teens rely on us to get these conversations started. That’s why it is so helpful that we have people like Dr. Megan Maas to hold our…  Read More →

What is real self-esteem? And can we build kids up on the same treadmill of feedback that brought them down? In this episode, Erin reads an article that explores: Three myths of the modern self-esteem movement The quicksands of social comparison and self-esteem online How to help kids build real self-esteem Follow us on Instagram…  Read More →

When it comes to body image and the media, the focus has long been on girls. Yet a recent study found that hospitalizations for boys with eating disorders has risen by 400% in the last two decades. Our guest today, Dr. Jason Nagata of University of California San Francisco, dives into the hidden impacts of…  Read More →