Webinar: Raising Kids in a Digital World: What the Research Says—and What Parents Can Do
Technology is woven into nearly every part of family life, but most parents are navigating it without a clear roadmap. As part of the Digital Habits for a Healthy Future initiative, supported by Verizon’s Digital Wellness initiative, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center invites you to join us for a virtual panel exploring what research actually tells us about families and digital well-being.
Our panelists will unpack findings from years of research on kids, families, and technology, including the “Family Tech Cycle,” a framework that maps how families continuously navigate access, safety, trust, and independence around screens and devices. The conversation will also spotlight an often-overlooked issue: the added challenges facing families raising children with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles, and what emerging research suggests families and caregivers can do about it.
Speakers will discuss practical, tangible takeaways — one thing each family can try today, and one conversation to start with their kids tonight.
This session is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone working to help families build healthier relationships with technology.
When: November 4, 2026 from 4:00 pm 5:00 pm ET
Speakers:
- Amanda Lenhart, Senior Fellow, Joan Ganz Cooney Center
- Meryl Alper, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies (College of Arts, Media, and Design) at Northeastern University.
- David Bickham, Research Director at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital
- Larry Brown, Parent
- Medha Tare, Sr. Director of Research, Joan Ganz Cooney Center (moderator)
