Tag Archives: youth

The 2025 cohorts of the Well-Being by Design Fellowship and the Youth Design Team have been an amazing success! Our Fellowship program brings together a group of children’s media and technology designers and the Youth Design Team – hosted in partnership with In Tandem – features 20 teens from 10 states in 10th through 12th grades. Throughout the spring, youth designers have participated in panel discussions and workshops to share their experiences and perspectives, and to ask big questions to…

In a world where career paths are no longer linear, how can we prepare young people to thrive amid constant change? At Unity Technologies, and through my book The Career Game Loop, we set out to tackle this challenge by borrowing strategies from an unexpected place: video games. Today’s learners face a workforce landscape filled with uncertainty. Technological disruption, gig work, AI automation, and remote jobs have rewritten the rules. Traditional models of education and employment no longer guarantee a…

In this episode of Into the Digital Future, hosts Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins sit down with long-time mixed methods researcher Amanda Lenhart to discuss her journey into internet research and her extensive work focused on youth, their mental health, and digital interactions. They delve into myths and misconceptions about digital media, screen time, and the nuanced impact of technology on young people. The conversation also explores the emerging role of generative AI in education, the challenges schools face in…

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…

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…