Digital well-being: helping young people thrive online and off
Dr. Sameer Hinduja helps a variety of organizations support youth mental health and well-being in a connected world, with an evidence-based, strengths-first, actionable approach.
The research behind the talk
Screen time, mental health, and technology are at the center of nearly every conversation about young people right now, and most of that conversation is driven by worry rather than evidence. Educators and parents are left wanting something more useful than another warning.
Dr. Sameer Hinduja studies the factors that help young people flourish, not just the ones that harm them. His research examines hope, resilience, empathy, self-control, positive parenting, and healthy school climate as protective assets, alongside the genuine risks. The talk gives an audience a balanced, research-based understanding of digital well-being and concrete ways to build the strengths that protect young people across any platform.
The talk also looks at the role platforms play in well-being, the design choices that pull on young people's attention and the safety features that can help, informed by Dr. Hinduja's direct work advising technology companies.
Most requested presentation
Digital Well-Being: Building the Strengths That Protect Young People
The session reframes the screen-time debate around well-being rather than fear. It covers what the research says about technology and youth mental health, and focuses on the protective strengths, hope, resilience, empathy, and sound judgment, that help young people make good decisions online and recover when things go wrong.
Audiences leave able to:
- Understand what the evidence does and does not say about screen time and mental health.
- Move the conversation from restriction toward well-being and strengths.
- Cultivate hope, resilience, and empathy as protective factors in young people.
- Support healthy technology habits at home and at school.
- Connect digital well-being to social-emotional learning and belonging.
- Recognize when a young person needs more support, and how to respond.
Who this is for
Each presentation is tailored to the audience and the concerns of the specific community, and is available in person or online.
What hosts say
"Through his presentations, Sameer brings approachable strategies on how to effect positive change and build students' sense of belonging. His message is research-based, relevant, and timely as districts seek to enhance social-emotional learning."
Dr. Peggy Aune, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Collier County School District
"He made a connection between social and emotional factors and the steps educators can take to improve school climate and encourage positive relationships. His message clearly aligned to our social-emotional learning priorities."
Karen Stelmacki, Executive Director, Exceptional Education and Student Support, Collier County Public Schools
"Learning resilience skills is paramount to success in academics, and the information provided in Dr. Hinduja's training was top-notch, presented in an informative and entertaining way."
Terri Anderson, Coordinator, Health Services and Wellness, Leon County Schools
"His presentations provided detailed research and practical, parent-to-parent tips on making our kids more resilient and empathetic, and on managing the complex world they dwell in."
Scott MacLeod, The Sophie Fund, Ithaca, NY
"As he speaks, students listen and take note. Adults, too, hear that their influence matters to kids, guiding them to use technology in powerful, kind ways. We were fortunate to have him."
Lynn Hobratschk, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Friendswood ISD
"His keynote and breakout session got excellent reviews from teachers, counselors, psychologists, and parents. The presentation was thought-provoking as well as practical."
Maribel Gonzalez, Education Summit Organizer, Puerto Rico
Common questions
What does Dr. Hinduja's digital well-being keynote cover?
It addresses what the research says about screen time and youth mental health, and focuses on the protective strengths, hope, resilience, empathy, and sound judgment, that help young people thrive online and off. It reframes the conversation from restriction toward well-being.
How is this different from a screen-time scare talk?
It is strengths-first and evidence-based. Rather than warning audiences about devices, it gives them concrete ways to build the factors that protect young people across any platform.
Who is this presentation for?
Conferences, schools and districts focused on social-emotional learning, independent and faith-based schools, nonprofits, health and mental health professionals, and parent audiences.
Does it connect to social-emotional learning?
Yes. Hosts often note how well the content aligns with SEL priorities around belonging, relationships, and student well-being.
Background
per Stanford University
Dr. Hinduja is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and a Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. He is Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and his research includes widely cited work on hope, resilience, and empathy as protective factors for young people. He has advised the White House across two administrations and presented at a National Institutes of Health workshop on technology and child development. You can read his full biography at hinduja.org.