“Success is what you do with your ability. It’s how you use your talent.” – George Allen, Sr. I have been a member of the YouTube Youth & Family Advisory Committee since its inception. (Don’t worry, UvA – it’s registered ancillary work!). It’s important work. I serve as an independent expert, helping to shape and improve Read More
Podcast Appearance: Net Echt
I had a fun opportunity to sit down with the University rector, Peter-Paul Verbeek, to discuss our overlapping areas of research during an episode on his podcast Net Echt. While typically our conversations focus on our visions for education, it was nice to connect in a completely different scholarly way. In the episode of Net Read More
New Bachelor Announced!
The secret is out – we (the Communication Science department at the UvA) have launched a new Bachelor programme. I’m, of course, biased but it’s BRILLIANT. The world is changing, fast. Technology has meant that national borders are often invisible, information is shared at lightning speed, and students need to be able to understand the Read More
Empowering & Protecting Youth Online
I had the chance to speak at Meta’s Youth Summit on 18 February 2024 in Brussels (on a beautiful sunny day!) It was an interesting day, with several inspiring conversations. Personally, I was happy to sit on a panel where we discussed the new report – Empowering and Protecting Youth Online: Streamling Legislation and Promoting Read More
Decoding Media: How Gen Z & Alpha Engage
All too often, we hear the (news) media report on GenZ – framing the group as a monolithic entity with one voice and one shared ideology. During my talk with Microsoft Global Comms on 14 February, I highlighted fact versus fiction. I discussed the trends we see on Gen Z (and alphas!) but I also Read More
Opinion: Banning Social Media Won’t Save Our Kids
The growing movement advocating for social media bans for youth, particularly those under 16, reflects understandable concerns about mental health. Parents face immense challenges: navigating their children’s education, social lives, and emotional well-being amidst a rapidly changing social media landscape. Stories of youth struggling with anxiety, depression, and social pressures are real, and social media Read More
Like, Share, Struggle?
On Tuesday, 3 February, I spoke at the event “Grenzeloos Online? Leeftijdsverificatie en de Digitale Generatie” (Borderless Online? Age Verification and the Digital Generation), hosted by Offlimits. It was a lovely afternoon with interesting talks from Simone van der Hof (Leiden U) and Tiffany van Stormbroek (NICAM). Simone provided sharp insights into age assurance, explaining Read More
Valorisation Prize for Charge Your Brainzzz
Congrats to our Charge Your Brainzzz team for winning the Valorization Award of the Faculty of Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam! Sleep and health are so important, and we are proud that with Charge Your Brainzzz research, we can translate scientific knowledge (e.g.) into concrete impact – for young people, schools and society. This Read More
New article: Next-gen childhoods
When the Journal of Children & Media launched, the digital society was just beginning. Gameboys topped holiday wish lists and TheFacebook was a novelty. I was in my early days of graduate school, trying to grasp this changing world. So much has changed since then, including how and what we study. JOCAM scholars, in particular, Read More
Supporting A Brighter Future for Youth in the Digital Society
During a (snowy … yes, snowy) visit to Brussels, I was humbled to deliver the keynote address for the 2024 Safer Internet Forum. During my talk, I focused on key actions and tools we can use to protect and empower youth as they navigate online spaces. Was a blast. Really appreciated the day, and that Read More