The Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain, and Psychological Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the nation’s leading authority on how technology and social media impact the developing mind and brain.
Our experts and research studies have been featured in major media outlets across the nation and around the world.
WRAL News U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is advocating for a bold step in protecting youth mental health: warning labels on social media sites, much like those on tobacco and alcohol products. In a powerful New York Times op-ed, Murthy identifies social media as a significant factor in the declining mental health of young people.…
Human Change Dr. Mitch Prinstein and Dr. Jim Winston join Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, chair of the Louis Dreyfus Group, and the team of Human Change, a global advocacy campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the way children approach social media, at Davos. Watch videos from the Conference
ASPEN Ideas With 1 in 3 teen girls considering suicide in the past year, the mental health crisis among America’s youth is undeniable. Dr. Mitch Prinstein joins other experts to discuss the impact of social media, the science behind it, and the steps that can be taken to protect children’s emotional well-being Watch the…
WRAL News New research suggests that frequent social media use could be reshaping adolescent brain development. The findings suggest that teens who frequently check their platforms may become more sensitive to social rewards and punishments. Dr. Telzer shares her insights on these findings. Read the full interview here.
WRAL News Concerned about teens on social media? You’re not alone. While many parents and guardians struggle with this challenge, Dr. Telzer and Dr. Prinstein have shared practical solutions based on research findings. Read the full article.
CNN Could social media be reshaping our kids’ brains? Research led by the Winston Center researchers suggest how frequent social media use could make adolescents more sensitive to peer feedback, potentially influencing their brain development into adulthood. What does this mean for children’s future? Learn More Here
APPLE NEWS Should social media use be limited? Mitch Prinstein, PhD, explains the challenging world of regulating social media use in families. This podcast offers practical tips on how to be the gatekeeper of social media, addressing the anxiety kids feel and the hopelessness parents experience. Mitch provides compassionate advice for navigating smartphone use in…
The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force (KOHS) has released a comprehensive report detailing recommendations and best practices for safer social media and online platform use among youth. This report, which references the Winston Center’s research, aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling the youth mental health crisis. The report highlights the risks…
The New York TimesDespite the headlines, the impact of social apps on adolescent mental health isn’t so clear.
APA Speaking of Psychology PodcastEva Telzer, PhD, explains why teens take more risks and why that risk-taking is sometimes beneficial, why parents have more influence than they think, and how social media and other technology use may be affecting teens’ behavior and development.