E269: Children, screen time and wellbeing – many reasons for concern

April 9, 2025

The amount of time children and adolescents spend with a screen is absolutely stunning. Lots of people, including parents, health leaders, educators, elected leaders from both parties I might mention, and even children themselves, are highly concerned and are discussing what might be done about all this. I’m delighted to begin this series of podcasts on children and screen time. Today we’re welcoming two very special guests who can talk about this topic in general, and especially about what’s being done to protect children and adolescents. Several podcasts will follow this one that deal with food and nutrition in particular. Our first guest, Kris Perry, is Executive Director of Children and Screens, an organization devoted to protecting children. In the digital world by addressing media’s impact on child development, communicating state-of-the-art information, and working with policymakers. Prior to joining children in Screens, Kris was senior advisor of the Governor of California and Deputy Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Our other guest, Dr. Dimitri Christakis is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and director of the Center for Child Health Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s. He’s also editor-in-chief of JAMA Pediatrics and both Chief Scientific Officer and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Children and Screens. He’s also the co-editor of a new book that I’m very excited to discuss.

Related podcasts: Addiction & Food | Child Development & Nutrition | Food Industry Behavior & Marketing | Screen time and Food |