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Understanding Your Child’s Digital Social Activity
How Digital Social Activity Changes Over Time: What Parents Should Know Teenagers' digital lives are more complex than ever before. Unlike in the past when requests for rides, borrowing the car, or to have friends over gave parents a good pulse on their teen’s social connection, in the digital era, teens can be in the exact same spot in the house, doing the exact same thing (looking at their phones), and their social worlds can be rapidly changing. To make things even harder for parents, there is no one-size-fits-all for online social connection. Some teens are more active online, while others prefer a more selective, quieter presence. The question many parents face is not just how much time their teen is spending online, but whether these digital habits are supporting their well-being or potentially causing harm. As a parent, it can be difficult to know when those changes are a normal part of growing up or something that requires attention. In this article, we’ll explore Aura’s approach to tracking digital social activity, why understanding sustained changes in behavior matters, and how Aura’s Digital Social Personas help parents gain a personalized, dynamic view of their teen’s online interactions. How Aura Tracks Social Behavior Changes: Understanding the Shifts Social activity isn’t just about how much time a teen spends on apps, but about understanding how and why those behaviors change. Aura doesn’t just track the amount of time your teen spends on social platforms—it looks at their broader patterns and how those patterns evolve over time. The key to understanding teen social behavior lies in identifying meaningful shifts in activity rather than just daily fluctuations. For example, a teen might start engaging more online because they’ve joined a new social group, or perhaps they’re trying out a new platform or app. On the other hand, a decrease in activity could reflect a retreat from socializing due to stress, changes in peer relationships, or other underlying emotional factors. Aura looks at a variety of behaviors to build a holistic profile of your teen’s digital social habits, including things like total time spent on social apps, time spent messaging versus viewing or scrolling through content, and how long and frequent they’re on different social apps. These behaviors are continuously tracked over time, creating a personalized social persona of digital activity. By looking at trends over time, Aura can detect significant changes in activity that might indicate a shift in your teen’s digital social engagement. This brings us to how Aura captures these shifts through its AI-powered approach. How It Works: Understanding Your Teen’s Digital Social Persona Aura takes an AI-powered approach to track your teen’s social activity, taking into account multiple aspects of their online behavior to create a personalized digital social persona. This approach doesn’t just track the amount of time spent on social apps—it looks at how your teen is spending that time. Some teens might engage heavily by messaging friends, while others may spend more time scrolling through content without engaging much in direct conversation. By tracking these behaviors over time, Aura learns what’s typical for your child and detects when and what types of changes occur. Aura identifies six digital social personas based on how teens engage with their digital spaces. These personas range from teens who primarily use just a few social apps, but when they do go on a social app, they are largely hoping on to send a message (The “Focused Texter”) to teens who use a variety of apps, for longer periods of time and largely spend that time viewing content (The “Social Scroller”) or spending a lot of time sending messages (The “Social Maven”). What makes this approach truly powerful is its ability to identify meaningful shifts even when teens may appear to be doing the same thing. For example, two teens could spend the same amount of time on social apps, but one might be spending more time scrolling through content while the other is actively messaging friends. While these may seem like similar behaviors at first glance, the AI-powered personas can highlight these differences, helping parents understand how their teen’s social behavior and connection is evolving. How to Interpret Shifts in Social Behavior Shifts in your child’s social behavior could reflect changes in mood, stress, or peer relationships. Here’s how to assess these shifts: Increased Social Activity: A rise in digital engagement can signal healthy social growth, like new friendships or positive interests. However, if this increase involves longer sessions or more screen time, it’s worth checking whether their online interactions are replacing offline connections and to ensure those digital connections feel positive to them. Decreased Social Activity: A decline in social activity might point to emotional changes or peer conflict. It could also suggest a desire for more offline socializing. If the drop in activity continues, it may signal challenges like stress, anxiety, or social withdrawal. Look for context—is there a life event (e.g., a school change, new friendships, or hobbies) that could explain the trend? Daily fluctuations are normal, but if the change persists for more than 14 days, it may be time to check in with your child. Tips for Parents: Supporting Healthy Digital Socialization While tracking social behavior is important, it’s even more critical to know how to respond in a way that supports your teen’s well-being. Here are some tips on how to approach social behavior changes: Encourage Open Communication: When you notice a shift in your teen’s online behavior, approach the conversation with curiosity, not judgment. For example, "I noticed you’re spending more time on social apps lately—what’s been exciting?" or "I saw you’ve been taking a break from messaging—anything on your mind?" Understand the Context: Changes in social behavior can be linked to real-life events. It could be a new friendship, a stressor like school pressure, or even a hobby that’s taking up their time. Ask questions to uncover the reasons behind the change. Balance is Key: Not all teens are the same. Some thrive on constant online interaction, while others prefer more selective, less frequent engagement. Focus on what’s typical for your teen and check in if something feels different. Model Balanced Social Behavior: Share how you manage your own online interactions with your child. Modeling healthy social habits helps reinforce the importance of balance. Aura’s insights allow you to see the bigger picture, not just isolated behaviors, making it easier to support your teen without micromanaging their every move.71Views0likes0CommentsHow Long Is Too Long? Measuring the Impact of Daytime Device Use on Teen Well-Being
Screens are an essential part of modern life—they connect us to friends, provide entertainment, and support learning. But as parents, it can be hard to tell when screen time is helping and when it’s “crowding out” other important activities. Research shows that screen time itself isn’t necessarily harmful—it’s what it replaces that can make the biggest difference. The key is balance: ensuring kids have time for movement, social interactions, and offline creativity while still benefiting from digital experiences. In this article, we’ll explore what science says about healthy screen habits, how Aura tracks device usage trends, and how you can use this information to support your child’s well-being. Why Balance Matters More Than Screen Time Alone If you’ve ever wondered, How much screen time is too much?, you’re not alone. But research suggests the better question might be: What’s the quality of screen time and what is screen time replacing? This idea comes from displacement theory, which explains how time spent on one activity reduces time available for another. If digital time replaces sleep, exercise, or in-person interactions, it can have unintended consequences. Physical health → Kids need movement to build strong bodies and regulate energy. Too much sitting—especially during long screen sessions—can increase restlessness, difficulty focusing, and poor posture. Social development → Face-to-face interactions help kids build emotional intelligence and social skills. If screen time displaces in-person connection, it can make it harder to practice these skills. Mental well-being → Research suggests that more than 4 hours of screen time per day is linked to higher anxiety and depression rates (CDC, 2024). However, these effects depend on what kids are doing on screens and their overall lifestyle. This is why Aura doesn’t just track hours—we help parents see patterns in their child’s device usage to understand whether screen time may be complementing or displacing other healthy behaviors. Long Sessions: Why Breaks Matter Not all screen time is equal—some activities are interactive and beneficial, while others involve passive scrolling or extended binge-watching. However, even for positive online behaviors, breaks are still warranted. Research shows that long, uninterrupted screen use can: Increase eye strain and fatigue Reduce opportunities for movement, which is critical for focus and energy regulation Lead to difficulty shifting between tasks, making it harder to transition to other activities Encouraging small screen breaks—even five minutes to stretch, walk, or reset—can help reduce fatigue and support focus. Tips for Supporting Balanced Screen Use Managing screen time doesn’t have to just be about strict limits—it’s about balance. Aura helps parents track these patterns. By focusing on how screen time fits into daily life, you can help your child develop healthy digital habits that make sense for them. Here are a few research-backed strategies to help guide healthy device habits: Model healthy habits – Kids often take cues from their parents’ screen use. Taking regular breaks yourself encourages them to do the same. Encourage balance over restrictions – Instead of focusing on hours, ask: Is my child still getting enough movement, in-person social time, and rest? Do we have family time where we all are disconnected from our devices? Collaborate with your child – Teens crave independence. Work together to set screen-free zones or experiment with small changes, like short breaks between long sessions– even 5 minutes can help. Focus on trends, not just one-off days – A single high-screen-time day isn’t necessarily concerning—but a pattern of overuse may be worth exploring. Final Thoughts: Monitor Trends, Not Just Hours Digital time isn’t inherently bad—it’s how it fits into the bigger picture of your child’s well-being that matters. By tracking long sessions, session frequency, and total screen time, Aura helps parents get a realistic, science-backed view of their child’s device habits. Remember: Look for patterns, not just hours. Encourage balance instead of rigid rules. Use data to guide conversations, not control behavior. With Aura, you get insights that help you support healthy habits—without doing all the legwork yourself.34Views0likes0CommentsHelping Teens Sleep Better: The Connection Between Devices and Healthy Habits
Sleep isn’t just about avoiding groggy mornings—it’s a foundation for mental health, focus, and overall well-being. Well-rested teens manage stress better, learn more effectively, and make healthier decisions (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2016). Yet, many teens struggle to get enough sleep. Biological changes make it harder to fall asleep early, school schedules cut into natural rhythms, and—let’s face it—screens often get in the way. That’s where Aura comes in. Instead of simply telling parents to "limit screen time," Aura helps track how device habits are supporting (or interfering) with three important aspects of sleep—total time for sleep, regular sleep schedule, and quality of sleep –giving families the insights they need to make small, but meaningful device behavior changes. Aura’s Sleep Window: Understanding How Device Use Impacts Total Sleep Time The total sleep time a teen gets is one of the most important markers of sleep health. Teens aged 13–18 need 8–10 hours of sleep per night (AASM, 2016), but only about 23% of teens regularly meet this target (CDC National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2021). Devices can interfere with total sleep time in a few ways: More late-night online time can delay when your teen falls asleep Some research suggests blue light exposure from screens may delay melatonin production, making it harder for teens to fall asleep (Silvani et al., 2022). Additionally, the mental stimulation of scrolling or gaming keeps their brains alert when they need to wind down. How Aura Helps: Aura’s Sleep Window measures your teen’s total offline time each night, letting you know whether device habits are cutting into vital sleep time. By tracking late-night usage patterns, Aura highlights when screens might be a barrier to getting enough rest. Aura’s Device Downtime Habits: Building Consistent Sleep Routines Beyond total sleep time, consistent schedules matter. Teens who have a consistent bedtime and wake up at roughly the same time each daytime feel more alert and well-rested, even if their total sleep time is the same (Walsh et al., 2025). Experts use the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) to measure how consistent a sleep schedule is—because even if teens get enough sleep overall, inconsistent sleep times can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, reduce sleep quality, and may even contribute to more depressive symptoms (Castiglione‐Fontanellaz et al., 2023). But teens’ biological clocks are shifting – so might not actually be tired when they try to negotiate a later bedtime. Their bodies naturally resist early bedtimes (Kelley et al. 2015; Tarokh et al., 2016). Early school schedules cut into their natural sleep cycles, inconsistent sleep habits—like staying up late on weekends—can leave teens constantly playing catch-up on sleep. How Aura Helps: Aura’s Device Downtime Habits track the first and last device use each day, helping parents see whether inconsistent device habits might be reinforcing irregular sleep patterns. By identifying trends, Aura offers insights into where small shifts could improve overall more consistent sleep schedules. Sleep Fragmentation: The Hidden Disruptor Even when teens get enough sleep, interrupted sleep can reduce its quality. Experts measure two key interruptions NAWK (Number of Awakenings) – How many times a teen wakes up during the night. WASO (Wake After Sleep Onset) – How long those awakenings last. Together, these metrics show sleep fragmentation, which reduces teen’s sleep quality even if TST looks fine (Bruce et al, 2017). Frequent interruptions—whether from stress, phone notifications, or the habit of checking a phone in the middle of the night—can prevent teens from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep (Pesonen et al, 2019). Devices can worsen sleep fragmentation.Frequent nighttime notifications or the habit of checking a phone during the night increases both NAWK and WASO. This can prevent teens from reaching the deeper stages of sleep important for brain function (e.g., learning and daytime focus) and emotional and physical health. How Aura Helps: Aura’s Overnight Usage tracks the frequency and duration of screen use overnight, helping families identify whether device habits are causing sleep fragmentation. By surfacing these trends, Aura fills a critical gap in understanding how devices impact real sleep quality. Tips to Support Healthy Sleep Habits By understanding the science of sleep and how device behaviors impact it, you can better support your teen in building healthier habits. With Aura, you have the tools to bridge the gap between technology and well-being—because great sleep starts with great habits. A few general principles to keep in mind include: Model good habits: Teens often mirror their parents' behaviors, even when it seems like they’re not paying attention. By unplugging an hour before bed or prioritizing a consistent bedtime yourself, you show them that healthy habits are achievable and important. Research shows that parental modeling significantly influences adolescents' health-related behaviors, including sleep routines. Encourage balance: Teens have busy schedules—school, homework, extracurriculars, and socializing all compete for their time. Asking for dramatic changes can feel overwhelming, but small, flexible adjustments (like starting with 30 minutes of screen-free time instead of an hour) make a big difference. Flexibility also respects that exceptions will happen, helping you focus on progress over perfection. Collaborate: Adolescents crave autonomy, and involving them in decisions builds buy-in. By asking your teen what they need to feel ready for bed, you empower them to take ownership of their routines. Working together to create calming pre-sleep habits, like reading or journaling, strengthens your relationship and makes them more likely to follow through. Sources: Bruce, E. S., Lunt, L., & McDonagh, J. E. (2017). Sleep in adolescents and young adults. Clinical medicine, 17(5), 424-428. Castiglione‐Fontanellaz, C. E., Schaufler, S., Wild, S., Hamann, C., Kaess, M., & Tarokh, L. (2023). Sleep regularity in healthy adolescents: Associations with sleep duration, sleep quality, and mental health. Journal of sleep research, 32(4), e13865. Kelley, P., Lockley, S. W., Foster, R. G., & Kelley, J. (2015). Synchronizing education to adolescent biology:‘let teens sleep, start school later’. Learning, Media and Technology, 40(2), 210-226. Pesonen, A. K., Gradisar, M., Kuula, L., Short, M., Merikanto, I., Tark, R., ... & Lahti, J. (2019). REM sleep fragmentation associated with depressive symptoms and genetic risk for depression in a community-based sample of adolescents. Journal of affective disorders, 245, 757-763. Silvani, M. I., Werder, R., & Perret, C. (2022). The influence of blue light on sleep, performance and wellbeing in young adults: A systematic review. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 943108. Tarokh, L., Saletin, J. M., & Carskadon, M. A. (2016). Sleep in adolescence: Physiology, cognition and mental health. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 70, 182-188. Walsh, R. F., Maddox, M. A., Smith, L. T., Olino, T., Zee, P. C., Nusslock, R., & Alloy, L. B. (2025). Sleep regularity in adolescents: Associations with sleep, rest–activity indices, and prospective substance use and depression. Journal of Sleep Research, e14468. DOI: 10.1111/jsr.1446840Views0likes0CommentsFrom Sleep to Social: Measuring What Matters in Your Child’s Digital Wellbeing
Technology is deeply woven into our kids’ lives—from schoolwork and socializing to entertainment and relaxation. As parents, it’s easy to wonder: Is my child’s screen time healthy? Is it supporting or interfering with their well-being? The reality is, screen time alone doesn’t tell the whole story. A child who spends hours online researching a passion project is engaging differently than one endlessly scrolling out of boredom. A teen who socializes primarily through group chats might not need as much face-to-face time as their peers. Context matters. That’s why Aura goes beyond simple screen-time limits. Instead of just measuring hours, we track patterns of digital behavior—helping parents understand not just how much time is spent on devices, but how that time impacts sleep, daytime activity, and social engagement. This article explores the three key areas Aura measures—sleep, daytime device use, and social activity—to help families build healthier digital habits without unnecessary stress. Why These Three Areas Matter When it comes to digital well-being, research consistently points to a few key factors that influence mental and physical health: Quality sleep – Poor sleep is linked to increased stress, difficulty focusing, and emotional regulation challenges. Device use can interfere with sleep, but healthy habits can also support it. Balanced daytime activity – Screen time that replaces movement, in-person socializing, or creative engagement can contribute to higher anxiety and difficulty focusing. Healthy social engagement – Digital social habits change over time. A sudden drop-off or spike in activity might reflect changes in a child’s well-being. Aura tracks how device behaviors influence these areas over time, giving parents a more complete picture of their child’s digital habits. Sleep: The Foundation of Well-Being We all know sleep is important, but for teens, it’s critical. Sleep regulates mood, helps with stress management, and is essential for academic performance. Yet research shows that most teens aren’t getting enough sleep—often due to late-night screen use. Devices can interfere with sleep in three key ways: Total Sleep Time (TST) – Teens need 8–10 hours of sleep per night, but late-night scrolling or gaming can reduce the time available for rest. Sleep Regularity – An inconsistent sleep schedule (staying up late some nights, or waking up early on other days) can throw off the body’s circadian rhythm and influence wellbeing. Sleep Fragmentation – Frequent nighttime notifications or the habit of checking a phone in the middle of the night can interrupt deep sleep, making it less restorative. How Aura Helps Aura measures Sleep window—the total offline time a child has at night—to assess whether screen time is cutting into total sleep time. Device downtime habits— when screens are used before bed and in the morning—to assess whether device downtime habits are supportive of a regular sleep schedule. Overnight usage—how often and for how long your child is using their device during sleep hours–to assess whether online usage is encouraging more sleep fragmentation. This provides parents with insights into whether screen habits are supporting or disrupting sleep—without needing to track every bedtime. Daytime Device Use: Finding Balance Screen time isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it supports learning, connection, and entertainment. But problems arise when long, uninterrupted sessions or excessive daily use replace essential offline activities like movement, socializing, and creative play. Rather than focusing on strict screen-time limits, research suggests looking at what screen time is displacing—a concept known as displacement theory. How Aura Helps Aura tracks: Long Sessions – Any screen use lasting over two hours without a break, which may contribute to screen fatigue, difficulty shifting between tasks, and reduced movement. Total Screen Time – A child’s daily screen time is assessed to see if it’s within a range that allows for offline activities like exercise, socializing, and sleep. By monitoring these trends over 14 days, Aura helps parents recognize patterns—like whether their child is taking enough breaks or if screen use may be starting to replace important offline activities. Social Activity: Not Just How Much, But How It Changes For teens, social connection is everything. Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected—but it’s also introduced new complexities. Some kids socialize constantly online, while others engage in brief, focused interactions. Neither is necessarily a concern—what matters is whether their usual patterns shift. A sudden drop-off in social activity might indicate stress, isolation, or changes in friendships. A significant increase could mean excitement over a new community—or it could reflect pressure to stay constantly connected. How Aura Helps Rather than tracking individual messages, Aura looks at high-level social trends: Social Persona – Aura uses an AI powered approach to identify how kids fall into six digital social personas based on their engagement patterns, like session length, app diversity, and messaging frequency on social apps. Baseline vs. Change Over Time – Aura then assesses what’s typical for your child and helps you identify changes in their baseline, or typical way of interacting online. Highlighting Trends, Not Individual Activity – Parents see changes in social engagement levels, not private conversations, ensuring parents are aware of important changes to spot early warning signs to check in, while kids maintain their privacy. How Parents Can Use This Information Understanding digital habits isn’t about control—it’s about guiding kids toward healthy tech use. Here are some practical ways parents can use Aura’s insights: Look for patterns, not single data points – A late night on their phone or a high-screen-time day isn’t always a concern. Consistent trends over time are what matter. Encourage curiosity – Instead of enforcing strict limits, ask: What’s your favorite part about being online? What’s the hardest? Trying to understand their experience and approaching the conversation with curiosity can help you find boundaries that support your family’s needs. Focus on balance, not just reducing screen time – The goal isn’t to eliminate screen use, but rather scaffold teens toward screen usage that supports their wellbeing and is complimentary to other positive offline experiences. Aura gives parents the information they need to have better conversations, not tighter restrictions—helping families build healthier digital habits together.97Views0likes0CommentsNew Resource: Tech/Life Balance Family Report & Guide📚
Our latest "Tech/Life Balance" resources are now available to the DigitalParenthood community! The first installment in our series is focused on social-emotional health and gives parents the tools to foster stronger communication and resilience in their kids. We believe that meaningful connection is the best defense against today’s digital challenges. These resources are grounded in real stories from California families and leading experts and offer practical strategies that families can implement right away. To celebrate, Jennifer Heifferon (Program Director of Child Well-being) sat down with DigitalParenthoods Dr. Scott Kollins and talked about all of the ways that the resources can help parents. Download the resources below! ⬇️The Teen Advisory Panel: Shaping Aura's Balance Tools for Teens, by Teens
At Aura, we believe the best way to create tools for managing digital well-being is to listen to those most affected by technology—teens. That’s why we created our Teen Advisory Panel: to ensure our balance tools are not only science-backed but also aligned with the needs and concerns of the teens who will use them. Designed to help families foster healthier digital habits, these tools focus on areas like screen time, nighttime activity, and social interactions. By consulting a diverse group of teens across the U.S., we created features that empower both parents and teens to manage digital behaviors in a supportive, privacy-respecting way. These tools are shaped by real teen input, not just expert research, to ensure they are relevant and practical—helping families find the right balance between tech use and well-being. Q: Why did you decide to create a Teen Advisory Panel? Kids are the best experts when it comes to understanding their own experiences, especially with technology. It's easy for adults to assume we know what's best, but we can't truly understand their digital world unless we listen to them directly. The Teen Advisory Panel is more than feedback—it’s a partnership. We wanted teens to help shape a product that balances privacy, independence, and well-being, ensuring the tools we’re developing are something they actually want and need. Q: How did you engage with the teens, and how did you collect their feedback? We recruited teens from across the U.S., ensuring a mix of geographic, ethnic, and cultural diversity. By hearing from a diverse group of teens, we aimed to create tools that not only provide insights for parents but also empower teens to take control of their tech habits. The panel engaged through live sessions and surveys, offering real-time feedback on features like screen time tracking, nighttime activity monitoring, and social pattern analysis. We also used these sessions to identify barriers, like privacy concerns, and learn how we can address them in the product. Q: What did you learn from their feedback, especially around potential barriers? Transparency was key. Many teens were concerned about how much information their parents would see. They wanted privacy but also recognized the importance of parents having insights to help guide healthier habits. After seeing prototypes, however, the teens felt more comfortable, as they understood how the tools would be used to support their well-being rather than invade their privacy. Q: Will there be a focus on improving the online balance experience? Yes! The goal of these tools is to help families create a balanced digital lifestyle. Teens told us balance isn’t just about limiting screen time; it’s about understanding their routines and helping parents see shifts in behavior, such as how late-night gaming affects sleep. Our tools will provide real-time feedback, customized to each family’s needs. It’s not about policing but about fostering healthier tech habits in a way that works for everyone. Q: How will the Teen Advisory Panel continue to influence product development in the future? The Teen Advisory Panel isn’t just a one-time feedback session—it’s an ongoing partnership. We’ll continue to engage with teens to ensure that our tools evolve alongside their changing needs. Their insights will keep guiding updates and new features, ensuring that Aura’s digital balance tools remain relevant and effective in helping families navigate the complexities of digital life. Q: How can parents and teens learn more about Aura's digital balance tools? If you're a parent wanting to understand your child’s digital habits—or a teen seeking ways to manage screen time, sleep, and social interactions—Aura’s balance tools are designed for you. We’ve worked closely with teens like those in our Teen Advisory Panel to create features that are insightful and respect privacy. To learn more, click here. Together, we can create a balanced digital lifestyle that supports both parents and teens in navigating the challenges of today’s connected world.Talking to Teens About AI: A Quick Guide for Parents
How AI Impacts Everyday Life Aura data has shown that one in five children are actively using AI-based apps, including accessing content meant for adults. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way kids learn, communicate, and use technology. From AI-powered tutoring to chatbot companions and deepfake technology, these tools offer exciting possibilities but also bring risks. While AI can boost creativity, education, and efficiency, it can also expose kids to inappropriate content, social manipulation, and ethical concerns. What is Generative AI? AI comes in different forms, which can make it hard for parents to keep up! Generative AI (Gen AI) creates new content—text, images, music, and videos—by recognizing patterns in the data it has learned from. Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes information, Gen AI generates entirely new outputs. Some common examples include: Chatbots – AI tools that help with conversations and writing. AI-generated images and deepfakes – Used to create or alter pictures and videos. AI-powered music and content creators – Programs that compose music, generate video scripts, and assist with storytelling. While these tools can be useful, they also pose risks, such as generating inappropriate content and spreading misinformation. How Teens Use AI Many parents don’t realize how much their kids are already using AI. A Common Sense Media survey of 1,045 children found that 70% of teens have used AI, but only 37% of parents were aware (Madden et al., 2024). Since AI tools are so easy to access, parents must take an active role in helping their kids use AI safely and responsibly. Hope Lab's report from the survey also explored the question: "What is one important thing adults should know about how teens use AI?" through additional research and analysis. The findings highlighted several key use areas: AI in Schoolwork – Teens use AI regularly for assignments, sometimes in ways that cross into cheating. General Curiosity – Many teens ask AI random questions to learn or get quick answers. Companionship – Some use AI chatbots for comfort and as conversation partners. Creativity & Entertainment – Teens enjoy AI for art, music, and other creative projects. Self-Image & Social Media – Some modify their appearance in photos using AI tools. Dishonesty & Bullying – AI is sometimes used for deception, such as faking voices to trick parents or for cyberbullying. Sexual Curiosity – Some teens turn to AI for intimate or explicit conversations. Despite these concerns, teens also believe adults can play a supportive role in helping them navigate AI responsibly. Understanding AI Risks Aura is studying the safety measures and risks of generative AI apps to help parents understand how to monitor them wisely. Some AI tools are safer than others, so it’s important to know which ones need extra caution. Aura has created the following categories to help parents and teens make informed choices about AI use: High-risk AI – Includes chatbots and deepfakes that could lead to emotional dependency, misinformation, online exploitation, or grooming. Moderate-risk AI – Includes learning tools that could pose ethical concerns, such as AI-generated homework assistance, or be misused if safeguards are bypassed. Low-risk AI – Includes creativity and problem-solving tools that help with education when used responsibly. By understanding these levels, parents can guide their children toward AI tools that are both safe and beneficial. Helping Your Teen Navigate AI Safely AI is advancing quickly, which means risks like misinformation, bias, and ethical concerns are always evolving. But just as we teach kids to stop, look, and think before crossing the street, we can teach them to pause, question, and verify when using AI. You don’t need to have all the answers—just starting the conversation is a great first step. Here are some practical ways to talk to your child about AI: Foster Open Conversations – Ask your child about their experiences with AI and encourage critical thinking about AI-generated content. If they’re using a new AI tool, ask why they like it and how they use it. Trying AI tools yourself can also help you understand their digital world and make these conversations easier. Encourage Responsible AI Use – Teach your child that AI is a tool for learning and creativity, but they should be mindful of ethics and privacy. Remind them that AI-generated content can sound human but isn’t always accurate. Just like talking to a friend, AI doesn’t know everything—encourage them to question and fact-check before trusting AI-generated information. Educate About AI’s Risks – Explain how AI algorithms work and discuss the risks of misinformation and manipulation. AI doesn’t “know” facts—it predicts answers based on data, which means it can be wrong or biased. Also, make them aware that some AI tools collect personal data and that people can use AI to manipulate or deceive others online. Empower Critical Thinking – Teach your child to question AI-generated content by asking, Is this true? Where does this information come from? Teaching them to question AI-generated content helps them develop a healthy skepticism and navigate AI responsibly. Set Digital Boundaries – Use parental controls when needed and monitor AI-related app usage. Setting limits may be difficult—especially with teens—but remind them that these boundaries aren’t punishments. They are temporary safeguards to help them build the skills they need to use AI responsibly. Gen AI Algorithms Algorithms can be difficult to understand. Since the AI learns initially by “reading” a lot of information, the risk is that it may not have all of the necessary information which leads to misinformation. Here is a brief description of how the algorithms work at a high level: Learning from Information – AI reads and remembers tons of books, websites, and conversations. Recognizing Patterns – It notices which words and ideas go together. Guessing the Next Word – Instead of thinking, it predicts what words should come next, like a super-fast guessing game. Getting Smarter Over Time – AI improves as it gets more data, but it still doesn’t understand things like a person does. Although AI can be mistaken as a human in a conversation (especially by kids), it is a really smart computer program that learns by looking at tons of information and recognizing patterns. You’re Already Doing Enough You don’t need to be an AI expert! What matters most is staying curious, open, and involved in your child’s digital world. By learning together, you’re helping them develop the skills to use AI safely, think critically, and make responsible choices online. Since AI regulations are still developing, several organizations provide resources for parents. Check out these websites for more tips on guiding your child’s AI use: Common Sense Media (DigitalParenthood partner!) Child Rescue Coalition Unicef Hope Lab106Views0likes0CommentsUnderstanding the Impact of Influencers on Young Minds💡
Social media has drastically transformed the way many of us communicate, express ourselves, and receive information. A majority of today’s teens take in content daily from popular platforms like TikTok, YouTube, SnapChat, and Instagram, so it’s important to get a better understanding of how they are being impacted by digital influencers. Influencers are people who have a large following on social media platforms and are effectively influencing, for better or worse, the opinions and behaviors of their followers. They can be seen as trendsetters with aspirational lifestyles who have an effect on everything from what a young person buys to the way they talk. As you’re probably aware, influencers often present a perfectly curated version of their lives, which can lead to unhealthy comparisons for young people. And while influencers can have a positive impact on their followers, promoting messages like mental health support or body positivity, it can be helpful to take a look at the power they hold in the eyes of our kids and teens. Talking to your teen about influencers... By opening up the conversation surrounding social media influencers and their content with your child or teen, you’ll be helping them to absorb information more critically so that they’re better equipped to notice how it may be impacting their emotions and actions. Here are some tips to help you get started: Initiate the conversation. Check in with your child or teen about their relationship with social media. Ask how it makes them feel, what they enjoy most about it, and what they are finding challenging. Put away distractions so that you’re fully present for the conversation and help them to feel heard by repeating back what they’ve said. Take their experience seriously and try to understand what is going on from their perspective without attempting to jump right in and fix it. Navigating social media can be difficult for all of us, so let them know that they’re not alone in any struggles they’re experiencing and that they can always come and talk to you about their digital life. Discuss real life versus social media content. Take time to talk to your child about how influencers often present an altered version of reality online that does not include the real, messy aspects of life. They are also often paid to promote products, so their content may be influenced by sponsors. Influencers can also encourage unrealistic beauty standards thanks to filters, as well as materialism by urging followers to buy products that they endorse. Take time to scroll through social media with your child and point out what aspects do and do not reflect reality so that they can begin to do the same. Discuss unhelpful thoughts. Encourage your teen to begin to notice their thoughts as they scroll social media. Ask them if that voice inside of their head sometimes says critical things like, “I wish I looked like that” or “I’ll never be able to afford clothes as nice as theirs.” It’s completely normal to compare ourselves to others, especially when their lives look perfect online, but these thoughts can be painful to experience. Once they’re able to notice these unhelpful thoughts, teach your teen to try flipping them into more helpful thoughts like, “I love the way I dress” or “I know that this stuff isn’t real, and I like the way that I look.” It may feel forced at first, but simply noticing and negating unhelpful self-talk is a powerful way to help them feel their best. Clean up the feed together. Encourage your child to clean out the clutter from their social media feeds, just like they’d clean out their closet. Take notice of what accounts and content are bringing them joy or inspiring them, and which ones are causing them to feel like they’re not measuring up. Could they follow more accounts that focus on something they love, like art or nature? You can sit with them while they unfollow, block, or mute any content that is no longer making them feel their best. And you can even spring clean your feed right along with them to set a positive example and bring more mindfulness into your own digital world. Take tech breaks. Social media platforms are designed to keep us scrolling so it’s easy for young people to spend hours online each day. Create limits surrounding devices and set screen-free times and zones both inside and outside of your home. Encourage your child to prioritize real-life activities and connections with others. You can even come up with a list of tech-free activities that the entire family can turn to. Social media can be an excellent way for young people to connect with others, but it can also have a negative impact on the way that they feel. Be sure to check-in regularly with your child about their digital experiences and continue to open up conversations surrounding influencers, unhelpful thinking, and how they can access support. If you could use some help in navigating tech as a family, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.Raising a Connected Generation: Dr. Becky on Parenting in the Digital Age 🎥
A throwback to our DigitalParenthood Summit back in June! NYT Best-Selling Author and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy sat down with award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist Poppy Harlow at our NYC Digital Parenthood Summit to offer parental guidance in the digital era, emphasizing that keeping kids safe is more important than keeping kids happy. The same way they can't have dessert until they finish their broccoli, children's use of technology must also be moderated. Here are 5 key ways parents can set strong boundaries: First, understand the difference between your child’s wants and needs. What purpose will technology serve them? Does your child need the new social media app they’re asking for, or do they simply just want it? Rather than brushing off requests, have conversations with your kids about the purpose they believe this new app will serve in their life. There may be a valid reason for downloading it. Second, form a group of parents to have continuous conversations over the years. Parents will avoid making split-second decisions and feel sturdier when their children go to them. Your kid will tell you that they are the only kid to not have a certain device, bedtime, or app. Years before this, when your kids are too young to negotiate, Dr. Becky recommends getting a group of parents together to discuss and plan how you all will approach these boundaries. Third, encourage kids to “gaze-in” on themselves, rather than seeking validation on social media. The way we parent our kids sets them up for how they approach the world. Naturally, people tend to focus on what everyone else is doing before considering our own values, interests, and feelings. By providing infinite access and constant exposure to other peoples’ lives, social media only adds to this pressure. It’s important that children build their confidence inside-out, rather than waiting to be told if they’re good enough. Fourth, keep the parent-child relationship separate from the technology-child relationship. Even as adults, it is difficult for us to put our phones down because it’s designed to make us unable to do that, so how can we hold our kids to such high expectations? The difference is that kids don’t make decisions for themselves, we do. So instead of setting ourselves up for frustration and children up for a power struggle or punishment, we must set a boundary that allows us to embody parental authority and tolerate our kids being upset. And lastly, give yourself permission to change course. If you were on a plane, you would want your pilot to give themselves permission to make an emergency landing if any flight information changed. Many parents disempower themselves by assuming what’s done is done. But good leaders, upon getting new information, change their plans to realign with the outcomes that they care about. Watch Dr. Becky’s full panel here:Partner Event: Building Healthy Tech Habits (with Bend Health)
Hear from our very own Dr. Jessica Flannery as she speaks on a panel with partner Bend Health on building healthy tech habits. From setting toddler screen-time boundaries to protecting social media-scrolling teens, parenting in the always-on digital world isn’t easy! Technology connects us and can educate and entertain the entire family, but it can also start to interfere with school, work, relationships, and our mental health. That’s why the mental health experts at Bend are here to help your family find creative solutions and set realistic boundaries so that everyone in your household can learn to stay safe online, connect with one another offline, and feel your best. In this partner-hosted webinar, parents and caregivers will learn to: Create a personalized digital plan that everyone in the family can agree on. Better understand and set healthy screen limits. Talk to your child about online safety and cyberbullying. Use a digital detox to foster screen-free connection as a family. Register Here!
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