Tag Archives: youth

In this episode of ‘Into the Digital Future,’ hosts Laura Higgins and Jordan Shapiro welcome Lucy Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Project Rockit. Discover how Lucy and her team address bullying, hate, and prejudice, amplifying youth voices to create safer online spaces. Learn about Project Rockit’s unique approaches and the importance of involving young people in tech and social development. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or tech professional, this conversation offers invaluable insights into building a kind and inclusive digital…

In this episode, Jordan Shapirio and Laura Higgins sit down with Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician, adolescent medicine specialist, and author of The Mediatrician’s Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World. Dr. Rich shares his insights on navigating the challenges and opportunities of parenting in the digital age, drawing from decades of research and clinical experience. They discuss the benefits and pitfalls of technology in family life, schools, and society at large, while…

In this episode of ‘Into the Digital Future,’ hosts Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins discuss the transformative power of gaming with Susanna Pollock, president of Games for Change. Pollock explains how games are being used beyond entertainment to address critical societal issues such as mental health and climate anxiety. The conversation highlights various initiatives, including partnerships with UNESCO, the World Food Programme, and the Deepak Chopra Foundation. The episode also delves into the Games for Change Student Challenge, empowering young…

In this episode of Into the Digital Future, Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, joins hosts Laura Higgins and Jordan Shapiro to explore the complexities of youth behavior in digital spaces, including the concept of digital self-harm. Dr. Hinduja shares his insights on building empathy, resilience, and the role of social media in fostering connection and support. This thought-provoking discussion offers valuable perspectives for parents, educators, and policymakers navigating the challenges of the digital age. This transcript…

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and Roblox are thrilled to announce the third season of Into the Digital Future, our podcast that explores the complexities of parenting in the digital age. This season, hosts Jordan Shapiro (Cooney Center Senior Fellow and author of Father Figure: How to be a Feminist Dad and The New Childhood: Raising Kids to Thrive in a Connected World) and Laura Higgins (Senior Director of Community Safety & Digital Civility at Roblox) dig into the complexities…

In the last five years, there has been mounting public interest in the relationship between digital technology use and children’s wellbeing. New policies and legislation aimed at promoting children’s rights and/or safety online are being proposed across North America and around the world at an unprecedented rate. Despite their popularity among children of all ages, however, digital games are often left out of the conversation. As is children’s vast knowledge, insights, and willingness to discuss the positives and negatives that…

Dear Friends, Happy October! The best month, in my opinion—although are we tired of pumpkin spice yet? First things first: we were thrilled to see so many applications to our Well-Being by Design Fellowship. Thanks to all who have applied. We’ll be announcing our next cohort in December! Now, some recent highlights: We’re six months into the debate over Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation. Agree or disagree with the book’s choice of data, conclusions, and recommendations, its publication kicked…

In January 2024, the Cooney Center announced 10 fellows in our inaugural Well-being By Design cohort. Since then, the fellows have been meeting regularly to learn about the frameworks and approaches that can help media and technology companies integrate well-being principles deeply into their products for children. During this period, the fellows have had opportunities to workshop their emerging insights with a parallel cohort of teenagers in the Cooney Center’s Youth Design Team. With representation from across three US time…

As digital games become ever more embedded in our daily lives, game designers and developers have the potential to create a positive impact through their work. This growing influence prompts us to consider a pivotal question: how can we navigate the ethics of digital game creation and be mindful of the impact that design choices have on players’ experiences, societal values, and most crucially, the well-being of the younger generation? Across a two-day conference that drew interest from over 600…

As the United States enters a national election cycle, concerned experts and educators are calling for a renewed emphasis on civic education. We’re witnessing intense political polarization; it seems more urgent now than ever before to find civic values that unite our fellow citizens.  For older generations, educational media such as the iconic Schoolhouse Rock!, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, or Nick News’ Kids Pick the President series were important resources for learning about civics and democratic values.…