Podcast
Joan Ganz Cooney Center: Into the Digital Future
Hosted by Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop: Into the Digital Future · EN
Join hosts Jordan Shapiro (Cooney Center Senior Fellow) and Laura Higgins (Director of Community Safety & Digital Civility at Roblox) as they talk to experts about the opportunities and challenges facing kids in the digital world. Acknowledging that parents are overwhelmed by frightening headlines about screen time and online predators, Jordan and Laura guide listeners through a series of casual, fun, yet thought-provoking conversations around topics like youth trends during the pandemic, combating toxic behaviors, and what tech and gaming companies are trying to do to create healthy spaces.
25episodes
Episodes
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Teens, Technology, and Truth with Amanda Lenhart
Feb 27, 202500:33:50Summary readyIn 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 integrating this technology, and the importance of a balanced and informed approach to digital literacy. Amanda offers insights from her research and personal experiences, highlighting the need for multi-pronged strategies involving parents, educators, tech companies, and regulators to navigate the complexities of the digital age.
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Online Safety Through the Eyes of Young People with Lucy Thomas
Dec 11, 202400:30:52Summary readyIn 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 future.
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The Kids Are Alright with Dr Michael Rich
Dec 11, 202400:29:59Summary readyIn this episode, Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins sit down with Dr. Michael Rich, a Harvard 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 exploring practical strategies like Dr. Rich's "Five M's" for fostering healthy relationships with screens. From rethinking “parental controls” to championing youth participation in designing the digital future, this conversation is full of actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas for parents, educators, and tech leaders alike. Tune in to learn how we can all collaborate to create a better, more balanced world for our kids—online and offline.
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Gaming for Good with Susanna Pollack
Dec 11, 202400:36:18Summary readyIn this episode of 'Into the Digital Future,' hosts Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins discuss the transformative power of gaming with Susanna Pollack, 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 people to design games with social impact themes. Tune in to learn how gaming is evolving as a tool for positive change.
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Digital Self-Harm and Empathy in the Digital Age
Nov 22, 202400:30:20Summary readyIn 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. From the concerning phenomenon of digital self-harm to the role of social media in fostering connection and support, Dr. Hinduja shares his insights on building empathy, resilience, and safer online environments. This thought-provoking discussion offers valuable perspectives for parents, educators, and policymakers navigating the challenges of the digital age.
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Navigating Mental Health, Diversity, and Technology with Dr. Erlanger Turner
Nov 22, 202400:32:02Summary readyJoin hosts Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins in this episode of 'Into the Digital Future', featuring special guest Dr. Erlanger Turner, founder and executive director of Therapy for Black Kids and author of Raising Resilient Black Kids. This episode dives into how intersectionality affects mental health in the digital age, particularly for Black youth. Dr. Turner discusses both the positive and negative impacts of social media, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing these challenges. The conversation also covers the misuse of mental health terminology, strategies for parents to manage their teens' social media use, and the necessity of inclusive, supportive online spaces. Additionally, Dr. Turner promotes his new book, 'Raising Resilient Black Kids,' offering practical advice for parents and caregivers.
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Teens, Tech, and Emotions with Dr. Lisa Damour
Nov 22, 202400:32:50Summary readyIn this episode of 'Into the Digital Future,' hosts Laura Higgins and Jordan Shapiro speak with psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Damour about the complex emotional lives of teenagers and their digital habits. The discussion highlights self-care through technology, the impact of social media algorithms, and strategies for parents to support their teenagers' mental health. Dr. Damour emphasizes the importance of understanding each child's unique needs and provides practical advice for managing risks and encouraging positive digital habits. The conversation covers both the potential harms and benefits of technology, advocating for balanced and informed approaches to adolescent digital interactions.
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Designing Children's Digital Play for Well-Being with Shuli Gilutz
Nov 19, 202400:32:34Summary readyIn this episode of Into the Digital Future, Shuli Gilutz speaks with Jordan Shapiro and Laura Higgins about the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) initiative, led by The LEGO Group and UNICEF and funded by the LEGO Foundation. They discuss the RITEC-8 framework, developed through research conducted with over 750 children in 18 countries. Shuli discusses the release of the RITEC Design Toolbox, which has been created as a set of tools for design teams to support their integration of these ideas in their work designing digital play. Tune in to learn how well-designed digital play experiences can help foster children’s well-being.
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Empowering Youth through Digital Participation with Lucha Sotomayor
Nov 21, 202300:26:16Summary readyLucha Sotomayor, distinguished child participation expert and digital rights advocate, joins Laura and Jordan for an impactful conversation on enhancing child safety online. Lucha brings her experiences from her significant role in the United Nations Protection through Online Participation (POP) project, an initiative aimed at utilizing the Internet as a tool for child protection and empowerment. She discusses the intricacies of the project and how it's changing the way we understand children's online experiences. Together, they delve into the current dynamics of online youth participation and the proactive measures being implemented through POP to promote their safety and rights.
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Designing for the Positive Possibilities of Technology with Jaspal Sandhu
Nov 14, 202300:29:01Summary readyJaspal Sandhu, Executive Vice President at Hopelab, discusses the organization's impactful work in youth mental health and well-being. With a strong focus on equity for LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color, Jaspal delves into the positive possibilities of technology and the importance of involving young people as active partners in shaping solutions within the responsible technology movement.
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