Screen Time

Social Media

Scrolling for Survival: Cooking Videos Are the New Food Bank

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on November 3, 2025

A personal reflection on food insecurity and digital empathy—how Instagram and other social media transform scarcity into creativity, community, and a call for real-world action.

A personal reflection on food insecurity and digital empathy—how Instagram and other social media transform scarcity into creativity, community, and a call for real-world action.

Media

What Kids (and Adults) Learn From Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 19, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension highlights how uneven free speech rules shape public trust, kids’ learning, and the psychology of signals in a polarized media landscape.

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension highlights how uneven free speech rules shape public trust, kids’ learning, and the psychology of signals in a polarized media landscape.

Media

When Political Violence Becomes Kids’ Content

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 11, 2025

Nonstop news turns political violence into content kids can’t avoid. Adults must slow it down, frame it, and help children process a world that feels increasingly unsafe.

Nonstop news turns political violence into content kids can’t avoid. Adults must slow it down, frame it, and help children process a world that feels increasingly unsafe.

Friends

Apps Sparking Real Conversations and Adult Connections

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 8, 2025

Personal Perspective: Using apps to spark real-life connections shows both the promise and pitfalls of adult socializing—and why small moments of laughter and courage matter.

Personal Perspective: Using apps to spark real-life connections shows both the promise and pitfalls of adult socializing—and why small moments of laughter and courage matter.

Anxiety

Doomscrolling: Why Can’t We Stop?

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on February 25, 2025

Doomscrolling fuels anxiety, shortens attention spans, and distorts reality. Our brains crave bad news, but setting limits and mindful media habits can help break the cycle.

Doomscrolling fuels anxiety, shortens attention spans, and distorts reality. Our brains crave bad news, but setting limits and mindful media habits can help break the cycle.

Media

Why Celebrity Endorsements May Not Capture Voter Sentiments

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on November 11, 2024

Celebrity support may amplify narrow issues within echo chambers, missing broader public sentiment and failing to capture the diverse views of voters.

Celebrity support may amplify narrow issues within echo chambers, missing broader public sentiment and failing to capture the diverse views of voters.

Humor

Why We Can’t Resist a Viral Baby Hippo

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 30, 2024

Humor fosters connections, eases stress, and sparks joy. Moo Deng, a viral baby hippo, is a prime example of how humor can create bonds and help us stay informed at the same time.

Humor fosters connections, eases stress, and sparks joy. Moo Deng, a viral baby hippo, is a prime example of how humor can create bonds and help us stay informed at the same time.

Media

What if Presidential Debates Followed the 30-Second Rule?

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 19, 2024

If political debates adhered to one simple elementary-school rule, we could model respect, shift our focus to policies, and improve media and public discourse.

If political debates adhered to one simple elementary-school rule, we could model respect, shift our focus to policies, and improve media and public discourse.

Child Development

Helping Young Children Navigate Election Anxiety

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 18, 2024

Help kids understand election anxiety by limiting media, creating a safe space for questions, and teaching emotional regulation techniques

Help kids understand election anxiety by limiting media, creating a safe space for questions, and teaching emotional regulation techniques

Humor

What We Can Learn From "Deadpool and Wolverine"

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on August 16, 2024

Deadpool and Wolverine offer insights into resilience, identity, and finding humor in adversity in their new film.

Deadpool and Wolverine offer insights into resilience, identity, and finding humor in adversity in their new film.

Motivation

How to Adjust to College in a Global Pandemic

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on October 5, 2021

Freshmen in college are facing a particularly tumultuous transition. A few mindful tactics can help.

Freshmen in college are facing a particularly tumultuous transition. A few mindful tactics can help.

Meditation

Refill Your Emotional Piggy Bank

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on November 5, 2020

Looking for a pick me up? Focus on your emotional piggy bank.

Looking for a pick me up? Focus on your emotional piggy bank.

Environment

Tips for Working from Home with Young Children

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on March 23, 2020

Working at home with a young child can be both joyful and painful (and bounce between the two often). Recommendations for making your new home life more manageable.

Working at home with a young child can be both joyful and painful (and bounce between the two often). Recommendations for making your new home life more manageable.

Internet Addiction

When Necessary, Use Screen Time as a Learning Experience

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on March 19, 2020

The amount of screen time you use is a family decision. It may be more necessary now, but here are ways to make it a learning experience.

The amount of screen time you use is a family decision. It may be more necessary now, but here are ways to make it a learning experience.

Friends

Screen-Time "Friends"

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on September 18, 2019

Afterschool TV may not be so terrible: Research shows that children can learn and feel “friendship” from familiar characters.

Afterschool TV may not be so terrible: Research shows that children can learn and feel “friendship” from familiar characters.

Memory

Explaining Political Ads, Current News, and Voting to Kids

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on August 9, 2019

Has the constant stream of political ads already become too much for your kids? A few recommendations may help them manage their complex feelings.

Has the constant stream of political ads already become too much for your kids? A few recommendations may help them manage their complex feelings.

Media

Did Joe Biden Abide?

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on April 5, 2019

Joe Biden is being judged for his actions. Sides are taken quickly. Many expend great efforts and energy to comment on the events as they come.

Joe Biden is being judged for his actions. Sides are taken quickly. Many expend great efforts and energy to comment on the events as they come.

Media

After Suicide: Media Coverage and Praise

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on June 8, 2018

Suicide is a complex problem that requires a range of preventative measures and methods of evaluation. Media coverage is robust. What if nods of affection were before the act?

Suicide is a complex problem that requires a range of preventative measures and methods of evaluation. Media coverage is robust. What if nods of affection were before the act?

Memory

Cooking and Problem-Solving with Kids

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on August 17, 2017

While problem-solving skills are not taught directly in the classroom, they are part of everyday life-building skills. It is important to provide children with real-world examples.

While problem-solving skills are not taught directly in the classroom, they are part of everyday life-building skills. It is important to provide children with real-world examples.

Sleep

Streamin' Demon: Binge-Watching Isn't Good for Sleep

Jamie Krenn Ph.D. on May 5, 2017

Streaming television has become part of daily life. Watching before bed sounds like a blast, but the technology may affect your sleep.

Streaming television has become part of daily life. Watching before bed sounds like a blast, but the technology may affect your sleep.