Positively Media

Artificial Intelligence

Kids Weren't Prepared for Social Media. Will AI Be Better?

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on May 10, 2026

We failed to prepare kids for social media by focusing on restriction instead of education. Can we do better with AI?

We failed to prepare kids for social media by focusing on restriction instead of education. Can we do better with AI?

Caregiving

Why Caregivers Are More Vulnerable to Doomscrolling

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on April 27, 2026

Caregivers are wired to stay alert, which makes doomscrolling especially hard to resist and amplifies stress. Here are tips to stay informed without burning out.

Caregivers are wired to stay alert, which makes doomscrolling especially hard to resist and amplifies stress. Here are tips to stay informed without burning out.

Child Development

Do You Want Your Kids Arguing Like a Politician?

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on April 20, 2026

Kids are learning that personal attacks, evasion, and deception are common in politics today. Those lessons won’t serve them well. Here's what you can model instead.

Kids are learning that personal attacks, evasion, and deception are common in politics today. Those lessons won’t serve them well. Here's what you can model instead.

Politics

Why U.S. Politics Looks Like a Bad Marriage

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on April 17, 2026

Gottman’s four communication patterns that predict divorce are now defining American politics and threatening democracy. Can this marriage be saved?

Gottman’s four communication patterns that predict divorce are now defining American politics and threatening democracy. Can this marriage be saved?

Memes

We’re Being Played Through Propaganda, Memes, and War

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on April 1, 2026

Packaging war in meme-driven narratives uses cultural cues to turn combat into entertainment, normalizing violence and influencing how future conflicts are perceived.

Packaging war in meme-driven narratives uses cultural cues to turn combat into entertainment, normalizing violence and influencing how future conflicts are perceived.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Driver's Ed: 8 Rules of the Digital Road for Good Drivers

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on November 16, 2025

AI literacy, like driver's ed, can teach teens to be safe and responsible "drivers" rather than passive, uninformed passengers. Here are eight rules of the AI road.

AI literacy, like driver's ed, can teach teens to be safe and responsible "drivers" rather than passive, uninformed passengers. Here are eight rules of the AI road.

Parenting

Letting Kids Learn the Hard Way

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on November 12, 2025

FAFO parenting says let kids face the consequences of their actions rather than intervening. This social media trend reflects shifts in social norms about parenting. Does it work?

FAFO parenting says let kids face the consequences of their actions rather than intervening. This social media trend reflects shifts in social norms about parenting. Does it work?

Social Media

Meta Will Use Your AI Chats to Gather Data on You

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on November 3, 2025

Meta will begin using AI chat as data for ad targeting and content personalization across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Here are 4 things you can do.

Meta will begin using AI chat as data for ad targeting and content personalization across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Here are 4 things you can do.

Dreaming

Why Dreamwork Matters in an Image-Filled World

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on August 1, 2025

Working with dreams isn't just self-help. Reading the emotional and symbolic language of our dreams trains us to better navigate an image-saturated culture.

Working with dreams isn't just self-help. Reading the emotional and symbolic language of our dreams trains us to better navigate an image-saturated culture.

Social Media

Why Teens Love Location-Sharing

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on July 18, 2025

Location sharing is now part of daily life for many young people. While it can enhance connection and safety, it also raises questions about privacy and autonomy.

Location sharing is now part of daily life for many young people. While it can enhance connection and safety, it also raises questions about privacy and autonomy.

Artificial Intelligence

Kids and Chatbots: When AI Feels Like a Friend

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on June 24, 2025

Kids are forming emotional bonds with chatbots. With digital literacy and parental guidance, these interactions can strike a healthy balance, supporting learning and creativity.

Kids are forming emotional bonds with chatbots. With digital literacy and parental guidance, these interactions can strike a healthy balance, supporting learning and creativity.

Personality

Tell Me My Story: From Myers-Briggs to BuzzFeed

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on June 7, 2025

Personality tests and quizzes give us pause for reflection, revealing stories about who we are and what we aspire to be.

Personality tests and quizzes give us pause for reflection, revealing stories about who we are and what we aspire to be.

Media

When Fiction Feels Like Fact: How Stories Shape Beliefs

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on June 1, 2025

Stories have power in belief formation because they engage emotions and lower cognitive resistance, making programs like 'Adolescence' feel more persuasive than statistics.

Stories have power in belief formation because they engage emotions and lower cognitive resistance, making programs like 'Adolescence' feel more persuasive than statistics.

Social Media

What Texas's Age-Gating Law Gets Wrong About Kids and Tech

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on May 29, 2025

Texas passed a child safety law demanding age checks on downloaded apps, but that won’t replace the digital literacy kids actually need.

Texas passed a child safety law demanding age checks on downloaded apps, but that won’t replace the digital literacy kids actually need.

Law and Crime

The Popularity of True Crime: Why We Can't Stop

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on May 13, 2025

True crime media has evolved from niche curiosity to mainstream obsession, particularly for women. Its popularity offers insights into emotional regulation and human connection.

True crime media has evolved from niche curiosity to mainstream obsession, particularly for women. Its popularity offers insights into emotional regulation and human connection.

Grief

The Real Costs of Trade Wars: Disappearing Hopes and Dreams

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on April 18, 2025

When markets drop, it’s not only our 401K that disappears—it’s our future story. No amount of financial doomscrolling will offset anxiety or the loss of hopes and dreams.

When markets drop, it’s not only our 401K that disappears—it’s our future story. No amount of financial doomscrolling will offset anxiety or the loss of hopes and dreams.

Parenting

7 Reasons Why "Bluey" Is a Masterclass in Parenting

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on March 21, 2025

1. The parents on "Bluey" actually enjoy their children.

1. The parents on "Bluey" actually enjoy their children.

Loneliness

Why Are We So Lonely? Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on March 18, 2025

Loneliness is rising, but getting smart about your digital habits can help. Small hacks can move you from automatic to intentional, improving real-life connections and well-being.

Loneliness is rising, but getting smart about your digital habits can help. Small hacks can move you from automatic to intentional, improving real-life connections and well-being.

Friends

FaceTime, Voice, or Text: What Strengthens Friendships Most?

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on February 10, 2025

Should you text, call, or FaceTime to stay close? Each has a different impact on connection, trust, and friendship. Find the mix that works best for you.

Should you text, call, or FaceTime to stay close? Each has a different impact on connection, trust, and friendship. Find the mix that works best for you.

Artificial Intelligence

How Artificial Intelligence Shapes How We Think, Act, and Connect

Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A. on February 4, 2025

AI influences our decisions and beliefs—and we don't notice—by taking advantage of our innate responses to novelty, interactivity, and social validation.

AI influences our decisions and beliefs—and we don't notice—by taking advantage of our innate responses to novelty, interactivity, and social validation.