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Behind Their Screens
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Behind Their Screens

What Teens Are Facing (and Adults Are Missing)

Carrie James and Emily Weinstein
MIT Press, 2022
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Recommendation

When attempting to support teenagers navigating their digital lives, adults make inaccurate assumptions that render their actions ineffective, argue Harvard researchers Carrie James and Emily Weinstein. The authors spent roughly a decade studying the digital lives of teens. They share insights to build your understanding of the complexity of growing up online. Learn how to help teens develop “digital agency,” while protecting them from digital risks. The authors help you expand your comprehension of the realities teens face when using digital technologies.

Summary

Teens understand digital risks.

Researchers Carrie James and Emily Weinstein discovered that adults make false assumptions about teens and digital technologies, including:

  • “Digital afterlife” — Many assume teens don’t understand that their online postings could damage their long-term reputation. Teens do understand that their posts will live “forever,” but feel a lack of control over their digital footprints. For example, they know that people can tag them in posts without their permission.
  • Digital habits — Adults often chastise teens for being addicted to their devices. Yet, many teens have valid reasons for engaging in excessive digital technology use. For example, they may have difficulty maintaining friendships if they disconnect.
  • Digital activism — Perhaps you dismiss teens’ digital activism as ineffective or even shallow, or worry teens will face backlash if they oppose the status quo online. Teens who stay silent on social issues — for example, Black Lives Matter — may face criticism from their peers.
  • Meaningful connection — Adults may regard ...

About the Authors

Researchers at Harvard Project Zero Carrie James and Emily Weinstein are part of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, where they focus on teenagers’ digital lives.

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