Inside: Key takeaways from our latest research brief, and more news and helpful resources from the team at the Lab
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Boston Children's - Digital Wellness Lab

EMPOWERING DIGITAL WELLNESS FOR KIDS | January 2025

Research Brief: Online Experiences of LGBTQ+ Youth

Greetings Friend of the Lab,

We’re excited to share our latest research brief, which dives into the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in online spaces. As more young people turn to digital spaces for support and self-expression, understanding how these platforms impact their mental health is more important than ever.

 

Key Takeaways

68%

 

of LGBTQ+ youth report having access to affirming online spaces 
The Trevor Project, 2024

76%

 

of transgender individuals report being harassed online 
Vogels, 2022

54%

 

of LGBTQ+ young adults were out on a dating app before telling friends and family 
Tinder, 2023

While digital spaces can offer critical support and opportunities for connection, they also pose significant risks. This brief highlights how LGBTQ+ youth navigate these platforms and the dual impact they can have on their wellbeing.

 

We invite you to read the full brief to learn more about this vital issue in youth mental health.

 

Also In This Issue

 

✓  Resources to help guide healthy media habits
✓  The Lab in the news
✓  What’s coming in 2025

 

 Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to continuing this important conversation with you.

 

All our best,

Cori Stott's signature

Cori Stott
Executive Director
The Digital Wellness Lab

Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Pulse Survey: Teens & AI

Key Takeaways from Our 2024 Pulse Survey on Teens and AI

 

These takeaways from our Pulse Survey on Teens and AI underline the importance of providing young people with the tools, education, and support they need to engage with AI-powered tools.

 

Read Post →

Conversations with Clinicians: Christina Vanderpluym, MD

Conversations with Clinicians: Christina VanderPluym, MD

 

Dr. VanderPluym, a cardiologist and mom, faces the same tech challenges as other parents and caregivers. She shares her thoughts on the importance of helping kids develop the skills they need to navigate today’s digital world.

 

Read Post →

The Lab in the News

Why “brain rot” is Oxford’s word of the year CBS News

 

Ten Myths About the Effect of Social Media Use on Well-Being Journal of Medical Internet Research

 

The Best Strategies To Keep Your Teen Safe When Online Dating And Beyond DatingNews.com 

We believe that by following the science, we can create an empathetic and respectful world in which our kids can grow up #healthy, #smart, and #kind.

You're Invited!

Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing for Kids of All Ages

 

Please join the Lab’s Dr. Michael Rich along with Dr. Hina Talib (Atria Health) and Dr. Rosemarie Truglio (Sesame Workshop) for a discussion of practical strategies and research-based insights for parents to guide their children toward balanced and mindful media use.

 

Date: Wed, Feb 5th

 

Time: 5:30–7:30pm ET

 

Location: West Side YMCA, New York, NY

 

Learn more & register 

Empowering Youth as Stakeholders

 

Please join our colleagues from ConnectSafely for a Safer Internet Day event focused on empowering youth by including their voices in critical conversations about online safety, digital wellbeing and the ethical use of technology.

 

Date: Tue, Feb 11th

 

Time: 10am–2:20pm PT

 

Location: California Endowment Center, Sacramento, CA

 

Learn more & register

Ask Me Anything: TECHWISE

 

Please join Dr. Scott Kollins of Aura for a discussion of a newly-launched study to explore how kids’ digital habits connect to their mental and physical wellbeing.

 

Date: Thu, Jan 30th

 

Time: 1–2pm ET

 

Location: Virtual

 

Learn more & register

The Lab in Action

As we kick off the new year, we’re excited for the opportunities ahead to further our mission of fostering positive, healthy digital media experiences for young people. In the coming months, some things we’ll be focused on include:

 

— Releasing our 2024 Impact Report and the first annual Inspired Internet Pledge Report

 

— Unveiling new Pulse Survey research, including on cell phones in schools and sense of belonging in online spaces

 

— Publishing white papers on AI & Civility and methods for building social-emotional competencies in online spaces

 

— Partnering with Scroll by Choice for an Inspired Internet Pledge workshop designed to define how solutions providers can bridge the gap between available app controls and the families and youth using their platforms

 

— Beta-releasing our Digital Media Use Clinical Screener

 

— Updating our Family Digital Wellness Guide, our most popular resource

 

— Developing an evidence-based Clinician’s Guide to Problematic (Interactive) Media Use

 

— Expanding the collaboration of the Youth & Interactive Media Coalition

 

— And much more!

If you have friends, family, and colleagues who could benefit from this newsletter, please pass it on and encourage them to sign up to receive it themselves. Thank you!

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All information included in this newsletter is for educational purposes only.
For medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your health care provider.


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