Technology is a central part of family life, yet many parents are left to navigate its benefits and challenges without clear guidance or support. With generous support from Verizon, the Digital Habits for a Healthy Future initiative seeks to better understand how families experience technology and identify opportunities to create digital environments that support children’s well-being, development, and growing independence.
From Research to Action
We began by listening to families across the country through co-design sessions with parents and children ages 4–14, conducted in partnership with The GIANT Room. One key insight emerged: families shoulder significant cognitive and emotional labor when managing technology—much of which could be reduced through better product design.
Parents described feeling overwhelmed by complex controls and unclear safety settings. Younger children wanted more transparency and shared decision-making, while older children sought greater autonomy and clear pathways to earning independence.
These findings informed the Parenting Tech Cycle, a framework that illustrates how families continuously navigate technology access, safety, trust, and independence.
Our research has also highlighted some of the unique challenges experienced by families with neurodiverse children—particularly those with ADHD. The next phase of the project focuses on exploring opportunities to better support these families through product design, family practices, and community resources.
In partnership with The GIANT Room, the Cooney Center is also offering workshops, family events, and community conversations across the United States. These programs provide practical, research-informed strategies for navigating technology and fostering digital well-being at home.
Together, this work aims to elevate family voices, reduce friction in digital parenting, and help create a healthier digital future for children and families.
