Current Projects
Across projects, the lab centers children and teens ages 8–18 as learners, rights holders, media users, and partners in shaping technology guidance. Research that treats youth as partners in shaping digital futures. The lab’s projects bring together child development, digital media, AI, school partnerships, and children’s rights frameworks to build more equitable and humane learning environments.
CTRL + ALT + DESIGN: Youth-Led Approaches to GenAI in Teaching and Learning
A research-practice partnership with Montclair Public Schools where youth learn about GenAI, identify digital rights priorities, and co-design district policy and guidance.
DIGITAL RIGHTS + AI POLICY + YOUTH AGENCY
Community Design Fellows Program
A community-engaged research initiative that trains ECT masters students through skill-building seminars and school-based RPP incubators focused on real technology integration challenges.
School Partnerships + DESIGN RESEARCH + LEARNING TECHNOLOGY
Developmental Impacts of GenAI Chatbot Engagement in Childhood and Adolescence
A systematic literature review synthesizing global evidence on how GenAI chatbots and companions may alter or support socioemotional, psychological and cognitive development for ages 10-18.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT + GENAI CHATBOTS + EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Past Projects
YPAR: Prosocial Digital Communication & Persuasive Design
A youth-led action research project exploring how digital communication tools can be designed to foster kindness and positive social interaction among peers and awareness of persuasive design.
Transitions to Smartphone Use in Childhood
This in-depth qualitative study examined the developmental changes and social shifts occurring when children first receive their own smartphone devices.
Developmental Affordances & Risks of Early Social Media
An investigation into the specific impacts of social media platforms on children aged 12 and under, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
Adolescent Digital Privacy Practices
This research examined how teenagers navigate complex privacy settings and data sharing norms within their digital social circles.
Digital Literacy Patterns in K-12 Schools
A nationwide survey analyzing how different U.S. school districts integrate digital citizenship and literacy instruction into their curricula.
Community-Informed Digital Citizenship
A collaborative project working with local communities to develop digital citizenship and well-being programs for K-12 students.
Project Archive
Past projects will be featured here in the future. Our ongoing commitment remains focused on children, teens, digital rights, humane tech, and the co-design of equitable learning environments.