LOGINBooks
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt argues that the rapid shift to smartphone-based childhood has fundamentally rewired adolescent development. Drawing on international mental health data, he links the rise of social media to increased anxiety, depression, and self-harm and calls for collective action.
https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
iGen by Jean Twenge
Twenge analyzes decades of national survey data to show how the first generation raised entirely on smartphones reports unprecedented levels of loneliness and emotional distress. Her work is widely cited in debates about screen time and youth mental health.
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Richard Louv coined the term “Nature-Deficit Disorder” in his groundbreaking book Last Child in the Woods. His work argues that reduced exposure to nature contributes to rising rates of anxiety, attention difficulties, and diminished creativity in children. Louv connects environmental disconnection with emotional and cognitive decline — and advocates for structured reconnection to the natural world.
Organizations
Common Sense Media
A leading nonprofit producing nationally representative research on teen media use. Their reports track screen time trends, social media exposure, and impacts on emotional well-being. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research
Cyberbullying Research Center (Sameer Hinduja & Justin Patchin)
One of the most respected sources on cyberbullying and digital aggression. Their data reveals how online environments amplify peer harm and psychological vulnerability.
https://cyberbullying.org/
American Psychological Association
The APA issued a formal Health Advisory on adolescent social media use, outlining developmental risks and the psychological vulnerabilities of youth in algorithm-driven platforms. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use
OECD
The OECD’s international research compares how children across nations experience digital life — including cyberbullying, online risk exposure, and life satisfaction impacts.
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/how-s-life-for-children-in-the-digital-age_0854b900-en.html
Blogs, Commentary & Video
Dr. Michele Borba
Focus: Parenting, social-emotional learning, character development
Dr. Borba is an educational psychologist and frequent blogger on children’s emotional intelligence, resilience, and behavioral health. She writes for her own site and major outlets (e.g., Psychology Today) with practical, research-backed advice for parents and educators.
https://micheleborba.com/
Psychology Today blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-raise-kids-kind
Jonathan Haidt’s Blog/Newsletter
Focus: Impact of Technology, Social Media
After Babel (Substack) — weekly posts breaking down research and ideas about technology’s impact on kids, culture, and society.
Dr. Dan Siegel – Mindful Brain / Mindsight
Focus: Brain development, attachment, mindful parenting
Dan Siegel maintains a dynamic blog and newsletter through the Mindsight Institute where he writes about child development, neural integration, and mindful practices for healthy emotional growth. Topics include technology, attention, relationships, and family well-being.
Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Harvard experts emphasize that helping children develop strong emotional regulation and life skills—like planning, self-control, and flexibility - is key to their long-term happiness and success, and that supportive caregiving relationships play a central role in fostering these abilities in kids and teens.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/
Australian eSafety Commissioner Blog
Focus: Digital Safey, children wellbeing, parental engagement
The eSafety Commissioner highlights that the digital world deeply shapes children’s emotional health by exposing them to algorithm-driven content, cyberbullying, and online harms like sexualised material, and advocates for safety-by-design, digital literacy, and parental engagement to support young people’s resilience and well-being online.
These blogs stress that protecting children’s well-being in the digital age requires both empowering families and holding tech platforms accountable for reducing harm and fostering healthier online environments.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom
Julie Inman Grant
As Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, she has become a global policy voice advocating for stronger protections for children online, including age restrictions and algorithm accountability.
Research & Studies
Amy Orben
Orben conducts large-scale longitudinal studies examining how social media affects adolescent mental health. Her work is frequently cited for its rigorous methodology and nuanced findings on digital exposure and well-being.
National Library of Medicine (India)
A systematic review of mental health issues among Indian school children and adolescents shows high prevalence of depression, anxiety, emotional and behavioral problems, and highlights the need for culturally tailored interventions to improve well-being
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11194636/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
India
Contact Natasha Nayar
US & Other Countries
Contact Lane JaBaay