Behind Their Screens: Reframing the Current Conversation on Teens and Tech

Public discourse and dramatic news headlines are rife with sweeping claims about technology’s impact on youth mental health but are often missing youth voices. Teen-level insights about growing up with digital technologies reveal known challenges as well as subtle pressures and hidden sources of positivity behind teens’ screens. Listening-centered approaches help us see meaningful variation among youth in their tech-related experiences and point toward solutions that go beyond abstinence to support agency.