E29 – Your Brain on the Scroll: Kids, Screens, and the Developing Mind

About this episode

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and guest co-host Natalie Thurston sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Duerden, a researcher at the forefront of understanding how early life experiences shape the developing brain — with a focus on resilience, cognitive ability, and children who face adversity from the very start of life.  Dr. Duerden's work spans preterm birth, ASD, and the growing science of screens and child development. Her research has consistently shown that higher screen time is linked to changes in brain development, self-regulation, sleep, and mental health — from early childhood through adolescence. In this episode, she brings that science to life in a way that's accessible, urgent, and deeply relevant for anyone raising or working with children today.  We explore what's actually happening in the brain when we scroll, why it's so hard to stop, and which children may be most vulnerable. We discuss the findings from her longitudinal brain imaging studies, what happened to kids' screen time — and mental health — during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why the way screens are used matters as much as how much. We also look at whether technology can ever be protective, and what parents, educators, and policymakers urgently need to know right now.  At its core, this episode is about understanding — and about giving families the tools and knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world.  🔗 Topics Covered  Dr. Duerden's path to studying early adversity and brain development  How excessive screen time relates to stress on the developing brain  What the research really says about social media and mental health  Critical developmental windows of vulnerability  The brain science behind scrolling — and why we can't stop  Which children are most at risk, including those with ASD or early adversity  When technology can be protective or beneficial  What parents, educators, and policymakers need to know now  Practical guidance for healthier screen habits at home  The future of the field and the biggest open questions  What gets lost in the public conversation about kids and technology  A message of hope and empowerment for parents and caregivers  🌿 Tune in for a grounded, science-backed, and deeply human conversation about children, resilience, and what it means to grow up in a world built around the scroll.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  📄 Selected research from Dr. Duerden's lab:  Screen time, social media & adolescent mental health: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108688  Screen time, sleep & cognition during COVID-19: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36889  📰 Op-eds & media:  Burned out by smartphones — The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/drafts/273545  Left to Their Own Devices podcast (Toronto Star): https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/left-to-their-own-devices/id1840912030  The Walrus Talks at Home – Teens and Screens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJgqS9dTqs  Digital Tsunami documentary (Hot Docs): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37351073/  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag.  This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Full video episodes are also available on YouTube.