Through the collaboration between Harvard Club of Boston and Harvard Alumni for Mental Health, we are pleased to host a fireside chat with Dr. Carrie James, Co-Founder of the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
The growing influence of technology on youth has sparked significant concern about its effects on their mental health, emotional and social development. With educators and psychologists voicing concern about the risks, this fireside chat will offer a nuanced discussion on how to understand modern youth development. The discussion will also include practical guides for parents to understand and manage the technology usage for their children and the recommendations for schools and communities to support our youth and young adults to thrive.
Speaker: Dr. Carrie James (she/her) is Co-Founder of the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education and a sociologist, researcher. Emphasizing qualitative methods, her work focuses on young people’s digital experiences, including opportunities and challenges for their well-being, social connections, and civic lives. Dr. James loves to translate research insights into practical tools and wisdom for families and educators. With Emily Weinstein, Dr. James is co-author of the book, Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (And Adults are Missing), which details compelling insights from thousands of teens. Dr. James is a parent to two technology-loving teens, ages 15 and 19.
Moderator: Dr. Julie Lee, Co-President of Harvard Alumni for Mental Health, is a clinical psychologist and leading Gen Z expert. Dr. Lee worked with thousands of adolescents, young adults and families as a psychologist at Harvard and associate dean of college at Brown University. Passionate about supporting Gen Z to thrive at school and work, Dr. Lee has published her work in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Thrive Global and has been featured in Washington Post, Business Insider and NBC Boston. She has a private practice in Wellesley and is a parent of 3 children, ages 17, 20 and 30.
Suggested (not required) readings for this Fireside Chat:
• The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt
• Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (And Adults are Missing) By Dr. Carrie James
6:00PM – Networking Reception
6:30PM – Conversation between Dr. Carrie James and Dr. Julie Lee
7:20PM - Live Q+A