Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development

08/20/2026

How does heavy short-form video consumption affect youth cognition and ?

A new review of 42 studies on children’s and adolescents’ short-form video use found that heavier short-form video consumption was linked to increased attention problems, poorer working memory and self-regulation, greater levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, and increased symptoms of problematic/addictive digital media use.

The studies included in the review used different definitions of heavy short-form video use but mostly defined "heavy" use as 4+ hours a day.

👉🏻 Read the review: https://bit.ly/467Dxsf

Short-form videos (SFVs) deliver digital content in a way that sets them apart from other media. Concerns have arisen that such user interfaces may diminish attention, memory and emotional wellbeing in young people, yet evidence has not previously been synthesised for this demographic and in isolati...

08/19/2026

NEW on : Neuroscientist, educator, and best-selling author Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, brings to the podcast a can't-miss discussion on how and why the widespread use of "educational" technology and AI in schools has led to declines in children’s learning outcomes and skill development, rather than promised improvements.

Dive into the full conversation now to learn:
✔️ Which essential parts of teaching and learning are displaced by educational tech use
✔️ Why 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 battle
✔️ What 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

Listen now 🎧 https://bit.ly/4cMfSRO

Date August 2026 Episode 036 Guest Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd Topics Education & Learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) Emerging Technology Has the widespread use of “educational” technology and AI in schools led to declines in children’s learning outcomes and skill development, rather than...

08/19/2026

Today Children and Screens celebrates the 100th installment of our webinar series! 🎊

Each session brings together leading experts and researchers in education, public health, child development, neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, and advocacy to share the latest findings, resources, and practical recommendations for helping children lead healthy lives in the .

All webinars are free of charge and free from tech funding to reflect Children and Screens’ ongoing commitment to providing accessible and independent research-based insights to parents, families, and educators.

Stream Experts now in our resource library. ➡️ https://bit.ly/48ikomn

08/18/2026

TOMORROW! The 100th webinar “Raising Independent Thinkers in the Age of AI” kicks off on Wednesday, August 19 at 12pm ET via Zoom.

Find out how to navigate the hurdles and opportunities presents in shaping children’s ability and motivation to learn new things, think critically and creatively, and persist through challenges from our live expert panel.

Join us ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fKIcpX

08/17/2026

"Does adolescent social media cause eating disorders?"

Visit the resource in for expert-backed answers grounded in research, including:

✔️Understanding the relationship between social media use, poor image, and disordered eating
✔️What factors make youth more vulnerable to developing eating disorders
✔️Which youth are most at risk for developing an eating disorder
✔️How to support healthy body image and talk about social media content

Learn more about youth social media use and disordered eating here: https://bit.ly/4jsK8Ca

08/17/2026

What are the costs to youth cognitive skill development when instant answers are always available from tools?

Educator and technology exploration leader Timothy Cook will dive into the importance of cognitive struggle for true learning and how AI affects skill development at the 100th webinar “Raising Independent Thinkers in the Age of AI” on Wednesday, August 19 at 12pm ET via Zoom.

Register now to learn more from Cook and other thought leaders about how to navigate the hurdles and opportunities AI presents in shaping children’s ability and motivation to grow as independent thinkers and students.

Sign up ➡️ https://bit.ly/4hI14Hg

08/14/2026

: When do you know it's the right time to increase digital privileges with your child? Consider gradually increasing tech access and independence as your child displays increasing responsibility and self-regulation around the media use privileges they already have.

What does gradual access to and devices look like?
-Delaying full smartphone access as long as possible
- Introducing a “less smart” device first before a smartphone
-Using developmental cues to determine when a child is ready for the next step
- Delaying full access to the internet/online media
- Linking calm transitions and responsible behavior to increased privileges

Learn more about how to assess your child for developmental readiness for increased media privileges with the Children and Screens Ages 6-11 Guide 🔗 https://bit.ly/48LiUUY

08/14/2026

MEET THE PANELIST 🥁

How is AI impacting children's curiosity and creativity?

Educational design and tech expert Punya Mishra, PhD, will discuss how these essential aspects of intellectual character intersect with youth AI use at the 100th panel discussion, “Raising Independent Thinkers in the Age of AI” on Wednesday, August 19 at 12pm ET via Zoom.

Sign up now for part one of our “Character Matters: Values and Resilience in the Digital Age” series to learn from leading researchers and thought leaders on how families and educators can navigate the hurdles and opportunities AI presents in shaping children’s ability and motivation to learn new things, think critically and creatively, and persist through challenges.

REGISTER ➡️ https://bit.ly/4hI14Hg

08/13/2026

Learning to recognize emotions, self-regulate, and build resilience are key developmental milestones in early childhood that can be affected by screen use. How can parents and caregivers best support optimal behavioral development in the first five years?

Download your free copy of the “Children and Screens Guide for Early Child Development and Media Use” for the most up-to-date expert insights and research-based recommendations for supporting your infant or toddler’s development in the , including:
📋 The Big Do’s and Don’ts for media use with children ages 0-5
🧠 Tips to support cognitive development
🤗 Tips to support behavioral development
🗣️ Tips to support social development
📱 Tips for choosing quality media content for preschoolers

Read the Guide 🔗 https://bit.ly/43ax2Ur

08/12/2026

Latest from : Recent research shows a link between parents habitually using screens to calm children at age 2 and those children displaying problematic media use five years later at age 7.

Stream the latest episode with leading early childhood researcher Peter Reschke, PhD, now for insights on:
✔️ The powerful role parents play in helping infants and young children develop the skills to recognize, express, and regulate emotions
✔️ Why 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 childhood
✔️ How an infants’ nervous system reacts physiologically when parents are digitally distracted, according to research

Listen here 🎧 https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/the-costs-of-using-devices-to-calm-children-peter-reschke-phd/

Did you know? All of Children and Screens' research-backed resources to help parents and caregivers support healthy children in the digital age are free of charge - and free from tech industry funding and interference. Consider a donation today at childrenandscreens.org to support our work and help families with healthy digital media use!