ANNOUNCING THE YOUTH & INTERACTIVE MEDIA COALITION! This initiative unites researchers, educators, youth advocates, and media innovators from across the Harvard University ecosystem who have been working in the youth and media space. Recognizing the need to amplify our efforts and bring together these diverse groups, we formed the coalition to collaboratively explore how today’s media and technology impact youth development, #mentalhealth, and wellbeing.
Visit our new website at https://youthmediacoalition.org to learn more about our mission, members, ongoing projects, and how we're working together to shape a healthier digital future for young people.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY TO IMPROVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH? Join us and millions of participants from 106 countries in taking action on #MentalHealthAction Day by trying A.S.K. — the new "stop, drop and roll" for mental health.
Developed by Showtime Networks/MTV Entertainment Studios and TaskForce in partnership with Active Minds, A.S.K. stands for Acknowledge, Support, and Keep-in-Touch, and can be used by anyone of any age to A.S.K. a friend or family member how they’re doing.
• Acknowledge: Create a supportive space by letting them know you’re here for them.
• Support: Validate their feelings and ask what they need.
• Keep-in-Touch: Check back in regularly and consistently.
At the Digital Wellness Lab, we believe in equitable access to mental health prevention and intervention for all children, teens, and young adults. If you believe your child’s technology use is having a negative impact on their mental health, please reach out to the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID) here at Boston Children’s Hospital.
#AskToHelp #MentalHealthIsHealth #DigitalWellness
This past Wednesday, we managed to get nearly the entire Digital Wellness Lab team together to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and promotions with a delicious lunch and a whole lot of silliness. Happy weekend, everyone!
WHEN SHOULD I TEACH MY CHILD #DIGITALLITERACY? According to Dr. Michael Rich, the moment they start using media! In his new book, The Mediatrician: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World, Dr. Rich dives deeply into three of the 5M's for #digitalwellbeing. These guidelines offer powerful and actionable tools for anyone who wants to foster digital and media literacy in the lives of young people. Learn more about these magical M's for media wellness at https://ow.ly/Ulfx50Rmb4v
If you’re wondering if your gradeschooler is ready for a #smartphone, how much #screentime is too much, or just plain trying to figure out how to parent your kids in today’s digitally saturated world, check out our Family Digital Wellness Guide for the latest #research and best practices for #parenting kids from birth through young adulthood. https://ow.ly/H33750QCNrg
#digitalparenting #digitalwellness
In her newest video, Kaitlin Tiches, the Lab’s Medical Librarian and Knowledge Manager, shares insights and some best practices for parents and caregivers of the youngest groups of children — infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
For more research-backed guidance, check out our 2023-24 Family Digital Wellness Guide: https://ow.ly/IPrU50Qn5zL
We are excited to announce the first cohort of signatories to the #InspiredInternet Pledge for 2024!
Pinterest (founding signatory)
Blue Fever
The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness
Foundation for Social Connection - F4SC
Halfthestory
Immersiva
Joan Ganz Cooney Center
Mental Health Foundation
Modulate
Our Own
Peer Health Exchange
Pinwheel.com
TikTok
TrustElevate
WeAre8
Learn more about the Inspired Internet Pledge and our early signatories: https://ow.ly/M6zq50QkOGf
We know from our #research that #socialmedia can have both negative and positive impacts on a child’s wellness. In our latest video installment of Research Corner, Kaitlin — our Librarian & Knowledge Manager here at the Digital Wellness Lab — shares tips for parents and caregivers for helping kids navigate their experiences online.
When interactive media use negatively affects a young person's everyday functioning in a meaningful way, it’s a sign they may need support from a clinician. We refer to this as Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU).
For more information on what PIMU is and how it can affect young people, check out our Parent's Guide to Problematic Interactive Media Use (#PIMU)
https://ow.ly/ltn950PxFmG
#digitalwellness #mindfulmedia
Applications for Lab's Student Advisory Council are now OPEN! Not only did last year's Council get hands-on experience interacting directly with Boston Children’s Hospital researchers, academics at Harvard Medical School, and leaders in the technology and healthcare industries, but a few of them were also featured in this video premiered at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Do you know high school students who are looking to make an impact on the future of technology and online media? Please pass this on and encourage them to apply. (Applications due by September 15, 2023.)
https://ow.ly/nKnX50Pvp6I
Just as you wouldn’t hand a child a tool without first teaching them how to use it, we should teach our kids how to use their devices in a positive, intentional, and healthy way. To help you do this, we’ve created the 5 M’s of Digital Wellness.
The Fifth "M" is MEMORIES.
What to do:
Make it a priority to spend uninterrupted technology-free time with your child.
In action:
• Make regular time to do an activity together without devices. It can also be as simple as having a conversation in the car, shooting baskets, or making a meal together.
• Take time to do something your child enjoys — playing their favorite video game with them, going for a bike ride, coloring…anything they enjoy that perhaps you don’t get to do with them often. You can ask them what they like best about the activity and request that they teach you how to do it well.
• Capture the moment with your memories instead of your camera. Talk about the experience afterward, sharing favorite moments. Ask younger children to draw pictures of the time you spend together.
• Enjoy just being silly together!
Learn more about the 5 Ms of #DigitalWellness:
https://ow.ly/QFXJ50PqLjg
Adults need to teach kids how to use technology responsibly and safely. But how? We created the 5 Ms of Digital Wellness to help parents and caregivers guide children in making positive, healthy, and intentional digital media choices.
The fourth "M" is MASTERY.
What to do:
To help your child achieve agency and independence, teach them how to make intentional choices about how and when they engage with #technology and #digitalmedia. Help them learn how to recover from mistakes not by catastrophizing or shaming but by modeling and teaching healthy behaviors.
In action:
Encourage your child to create boundaries about their digital and tech use.
Develop a game plan together about what your child will do when they experience harmful behaviors and content online.
Talk about why it’s important to protect individual privacy and data and about how your child can protect their information when creating online accounts and engaging digitally.
Support your child in developing their executive functioning skills — planning ahead, self-regulation, self-control, and ability to focus.
Learn more about the 5 Ms of #DigitalWellness:
https://digitalwellnesslab.org/tools/5-ms-digital-wellness/