Screen Deep

Children and Screens

Screen Deep takes aim at decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.
Host Kris Perry dives deep with a leading expert in each episode to explore how children and adolescents are affected mentally, physically, and developmentally by digital media use, bringing research and evidence-based perspectives to the essential questions on how to help children thrive today.

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Top 10 Screen Deep Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Screen Deep episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Screen Deep for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Screen Deep episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Neuroscience of Adolescent Digital and Behavioral Addictions with Dr. Marc Potenza

Screen Deep

10/16/24 • 40 min

Concern about youth digital addiction is a relatively recent but significant addition to the list of common worries for parents of adolescents in the past few decades. What exactly is digital addiction, and how does it relate to other forms of addiction such as gambling and substance-use disorders?
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Marc Potenza, MD, PhD, to discuss his pioneering research on Internet and behavioral addiction. Marc discusses the brain science behind adolescent vulnerability to digital addiction and its similarities to other addictions, and differences between individuals that might explain why some teens are more prone to problematic use of digital media. He also describes his work with colleagues on determining the diagnostic criteria for behavioral addictions, gambling in video games, and resources for parents.
In this episode you will learn:

How Dr. Potenza and other researchers first identified gaming and other internet use disorders.
What brain imaging can tell us about the specific brain patterns associated with behavioral addictions in adolescents.
How natural changes in the adolescent brain make teens more vulnerable to digital and behavioral addictions.
What factors contribute to the development of addictive disorders in young people.
Why some youth are more resilient to risk factors for addiction than others.
About groundbreaking new research showing similarities in brain patterns between adults who started drinking heavily early in life and 9-10 year-olds with heavy internet use and behavioral issues.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Young Child Learning, Attention, and Screen Use with Heather Kirkorian, PhD

Screen Deep

11/27/24 • 33 min

When a young child watches TV or uses a digital tablet are they able to learn from what they see? What are the effects of media use on the development of attentional networks?
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks to Dr. Heather Kirkorian about how digital media impacts learning, cognition, and attention in young children. Dr. Kirkorian describes the developmental milestones that allow for learning from digital media, explains the “video deficit effect” – the finding that young children have a hard time transferring things they learn on screens to the real world – and how interactive elements of digital devices may support or impede learning. Dr. Kirkorian also shares findings on how background television can disrupt parent-child interactions critical for early learning, as well as suggestions for parents in choosing high quality media for younger children.
In this episode you will learn:

How media use affects young children’s attention and learning.
How interactivity and engagement in digital media affects young children’s ability to learn.
What developmental milestones indicate that a child is ready to learn from digital media {and what supports they might need to enhance learning.}
Why young children are more likely to learn from real-life demonstrations than video.
How to choose high quality media content and use it to support young children’s learning.
How background TV exposure can affect young child attention.

Dr. Heather Kirkorian is the Laura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development and a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has affiliate appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Educational Psychology at UW-Madison. Dr. Kirkorian is a developmental psychologist who studies cognitive development in infants and young children, particularly in the context of TV and digital media. She uses a combination of behavioral, observational, and psychophysiological methods to study the impact of child and parent media use on children (e.g., attention, memory, learning, play), parents (e.g., stress, burnout), and families (e.g., parent-child interactions).

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Harmful Social Media Algorithms and Children with Imran Ahmed

Screen Deep

03/12/25 • 50 min

Social media platforms are feeding youth harmful content—fast. From hate speech to pro-eating disorder posts and disinformation, powerful algorithms push dangerous content straight to children. But why? And what can be done to stop it?

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, about the hidden dangers of social media algorithms, the risks youth face on various popular platforms, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in digital spaces.

In this episode, you will learn:

How quickly social media algorithms deliver harmful content to children, such as pro-eating disorder and drug content.
Why platforms are aware of this issue—but choose not to do anything about it.
The need for transparency into social media algorithms to keep children safe from harmful content.
What kind of advocacy is needed to drive stronger protections—and how recent advancements in European policies may provide a model.
The STAR framework for social media reform: Safety by design, Transparency, Accountability and Economic Responsibility.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD

Screen Deep

02/19/25 • 50 min

The majority of today’s adolescents are video gaming - for many, daily. How much gaming is too much ? Are violent video games actually harmful to children?

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Dr. Douglas Gentile, a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University and renowned video gaming expert. Dr. Gentile discusses the latest research on which aspects of gaming can affect child health and development, and the effects of violent media – including video games – on children’s aggressive feelings and behaviors. He also discusses the prevalence of gaming addiction and what features of games make them potentially addictive to children. Finally, Dr. Gentile explains how video games can have positive effects on social behavior and learning as well, and the power parents have to influence their children’s media use and behavioral outcomes.

In this episode, you will learn:

How the 5 “C’s” of video gaming work together to impact child behavior and health.
Why violent video games are linked to increased aggression in youth - and three major effects of violent media.
Why even “cute” animated video games can increase aggression in kids, just as realistically violent games.
How many children are struggling with gaming addiction - and how to recognize the warning signs .
When video games help children learn and encourage prosocial behavior.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Social Media, Mental Health, and Adolescent Social Dynamics with Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP

Screen Deep

01/29/25 • 42 min

How has social media changed the way teens socialize and interact - and is it affecting their mental health?
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with researcher and Chief of Psychology of the American Psychological Association Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP. Dr. Prinstein describes his research on popularity and likeability in adolescence, and how social media factors into these social dynamics. He also explores how certain aspects of social media, such as social comparison, can yield negative mental health impacts for teens. Finally, Dr. Prinstein takes listeners beneath the surface to discuss his research on the impacts of social media on the brain, explaining how some children might be more susceptible to the negative mental health effects of social media than others, and what parents can do to prevent these effects.
In this episode you will learn:

The difference between popularity and likability - and which is linked to better life outcomes.
How social media has changed social dynamics and how these changes affect the developing brain.
What research is saying about teen social media use and the development of mental health conditions.
Conversation prompts to help adults better understand their adolescent’s social media habits and assess if they may be cause for concern.
How the relationship between social media use and sleep affects overall adolescent health and well-being.
Which uses of social media can be healthy and beneficial for adolescents.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Language Development, Learning, and Play in Early Childhood with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD

Screen Deep

01/08/25 • 49 min

Learning language involves much more than memorizing the ABCs. How do babies and toddlers acquire language and how can parents and caregivers foster its optimal development?

On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by renowned child development researcher Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, to discuss children’s language development, learning, and play in the digital age. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek emphasizes the importance of social interaction in the development of language, and discusses how digital media typically lacks this critical aspect and may even interrupt the language-learning process. She also describes the key pillars of learning gleaned from decades of research and the effectiveness of guided play in achieving learning outcomes. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek provides listeners with key insights on choosing effective educational apps, as well as maximizing learning opportunities, and critical skills children must develop for the digital future.
In this episode you will learn:

How babies and young children develop language.
Why the quality and quantity of caregiver interactions shape a child’s early language journey.
How media use – by children and parents alike - can affect learning and development.
Why play is an important aspect of successful learning - and how best to incorporate it.
How to evaluate and choose learning apps that benefit young children.
The “6 C’s” of critical learning children need to thrive in the digital age.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Adolescent Health, Body Image/Eating Disorders and Media Use with Jason Nagata, MD, MSc

Screen Deep

12/18/24 • 40 min

How does adolescents’ use of digital media , particularly of image-based social media platforms, influence and amplify their body image concerns?
On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Jason Nagata, a distinguished researcher and a pediatrician, to explore the complex relationship between digital media use and adolescents’ physical and mental health. Dr. Nagata sheds light on the connection between digital media, body image issues, and eating disorders– particularly among boys, who are often overlooked in discussions on this topic. He delves into how boys’ body image challenges and eating disorders often present differently from those of girls. In addition, he shares research findings linking specific mental health symptoms to use of digital media, explores other health outcomes linked to digital media use, and discusses demographic and gender-based differences in media-usage patterns and their impacts on adolescent health outcomes.
In this episode you will learn:

What the ABCD study is and why it’s providing quality data for research into adolescent screen use and health.
What mental health symptoms in adolescents are most associated with high amounts of screen use.
Gender and other demographic differences in screen uses and their health impacts in adolescents.
What aspects of screen use are most impacting body image and eating disorder symptoms in youth.
How teen boys are experiencing body image pressure from media - and differences in how their body image disorder symptoms present.
What warning signs parents and caregivers can watch for that indicate an adolescent’s attention to exercise is becoming unhealthy.
The biggest predictor of high amounts of adolescent screen time (hint: parents).

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Introducing the Screen Deep Podcast

Screen Deep

11/20/24 • 1 min

Introducing the Screen Deep podcast - where we go on deep dives with leading experts to decode child and adolescent brains and behavior in a digital world.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Parent Media Use, Technoference, and Its Effects on Children with Brandon McDaniel, PhD

Screen Deep

11/06/24 • 43 min

Parents worried about child media use may not be aware that their own media use patterns at home may be significantly affecting their children.
In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry discusses “technoference” – the interference of technology in relationships – with the researcher who coined that term, Dr. Brandon McDaniel.
Dr. McDaniel shares results from his work on how parent device use can affect relationships and impact children from infancy through adolescence, how children may manifest these impacts through behavior, as well as how parental mental health and stress inform and are informed by their own technology use. Dr. McDaniel discusses the challenges of limiting phone use, and provides suggestions for how parents can model healthy device use during family time, work to be more present in interactions with their children, and manage co-parenting conflict around family media use rules.
In this episode you will learn:

What “technoference” and “phubbing” mean.
How parental technoference affects children of all ages.
Behavioral signs in infants, children, and adolescents that may indicate negative effects of parent media use.
How parent stress and mental health influence media use and impact children.
Early findings from an ongoing research study on parents of infants and the connection between their media use and mental health.
Where the research is going to better understand the complex interplay between parent media use, child development, and behavior.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Adolescent Brain Development and Social Media Use with Eva Telzer, PhD

Screen Deep

09/25/24 • 44 min

Adolescence is an exciting period of life shaped by risks, rewards, and rapid changes in the brain. On this episode of Screen Deep, we explore how adolescent brains affect and are affected by their digital media use with Eva Telzer, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Co-Director of the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development.
An expert on adolescent neuroscience, behavior, and media use, Telzer discusses insights from her large and growing body of research, including multi-year projects investigating the dynamic relationship between teens’ social media use and the makeup of their brain. How does social media trigger the reward system of the brain? Can teens’ habitual smartphone behaviors impact their developing brains? Are some teens more prone to problematic smartphone use than others? Tune in to hear how Telzer’s research helps answer these questions.
In this episode you will learn:

Why social reward cues (likes, comments, etc) have a unique impact on the developing adolescent brain
How research utilizing functional MRI is expanding our knowledge about changes in the brains of adolescents habitually engaging in social media use
What neurological factors put some teens at a higher risk for problematic social media use than others
How research dispels popular stereotypes of adolescents as high risk takers and dependent on peer influence
How the reward system in the brain works and ways it can be redirected for positive social behaviors and connections online by adolescents

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Show more best episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Screen Deep have?

Screen Deep currently has 13 episodes available.

What topics does Screen Deep cover?

The podcast is about Parenting, Kids & Family, Child Development, Digital Media, Podcasts, Education and Health.

What is the most popular episode on Screen Deep?

The episode title 'Video Gaming Effects on Children’s Behavior and Health with Douglas Gentile, PhD' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Screen Deep?

The average episode length on Screen Deep is 41 minutes.

How often are episodes of Screen Deep released?

Episodes of Screen Deep are typically released every 21 days.

When was the first episode of Screen Deep?

The first episode of Screen Deep was released on Sep 24, 2024.

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Screen Deep

Children and Screens

Top 10 Screen Deep Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Screen Deep have?

What topics does Screen Deep cover?

What is the most popular episode on Screen Deep?

What is the average episode length on Screen Deep?

How often are episodes of Screen Deep released?

When was the first episode of Screen Deep?

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