Why the Internet Should be Made Safer for Children - Not the Other Way Around with Baroness Beeban Kidron

Why the Internet Should be Made Safer for Children - Not the Other Way Around with Baroness Beeban Kidron

Author: Children and Screens September 9, 2026 Duration: 52:58
The early egalitarian promise of an open and free internet has morphed over the past three decades into an algorithm-driven experience that is designed to addict and extract data and money from adults and children alike. In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry is joined by renowned children’s digital rights advocate Baroness Beeban Kidron to learn how we got from “there” to “here” – and why making technology safer for children, rather than expecting children behave more safely o...

How do screens really shape the minds, bodies, and daily lives of young people? Screen Deep, from the nonprofit Children and Screens, moves beyond simple headlines and fear-based narratives to explore that complex reality. Host Kris Perry engages in thoughtful, detailed conversations with top researchers, pediatricians, and psychologists, unpacking the nuanced effects of digital media on child and adolescent development. Each episode focuses on a specific angle-whether it's the impact on sleep, attention, physical fitness, social skills, or mental well-being-grounding every discussion in current science and practical evidence. This isn't about prescribing a single solution but about understanding the multifaceted relationship kids have with technology. The podcast provides parents, educators, and anyone invested in youth with a clearer, more balanced perspective, translating academic studies into relatable insights. You'll hear experts explain not just the potential risks, but also the realities of digital engagement, offering grounded strategies for fostering healthy habits in a connected age. Tune in for a deeper, more informed dialogue that helps navigate the pressing questions of raising kids in a digital world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 38

Screen Deep
Podcast Episodes
Does AI Help Students Learn? With Adam Dubé, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:18
Schools are increasingly deploying AI-powered technologies in classrooms that promise to revolutionize education, yet there is growing concern over the risks to children and adolescents’ learning by doing so. What do chi…
Is My Child Ready for a Smartphone? With Adam Pletter, PsyD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
A child’s first smartphone is a modern "rite of passage" and today's parents face a challenging decision – when is the right time? Peer pressure and fear of missing out loom heavily, yet there are significant risks to in…
Phones in Schools?  What the Research Says with Abe Flanigan, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:41
Should phones be allowed in the classroom? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with Dr. Abraham Flanigan, an associate professor of educational psychology at Georgia Southern University about what phone…
Early Childhood Mental Health and Screen Use with Joan Luby, MD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:52
Many people think of mental health disorders as arising later in childhood or adolescence. However, there is increasing evidence that even young children can experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression.…
Children's Rights in Digital Safety and Design with Sonia Livingstone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:52
From parent and school restrictions on smartphone use to the design of the latest AI tools, what does it mean to center children’s own perspectives and rights in ensuring safety in their online worlds? On this episode of…
Reading and Writing Skills in the Age of AI with Naomi Baron, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
How are screen-based reading and writing, along with the growing use of generative AI by youth, shaping children’s development of foundational literacy skills? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores the…