Yalda T. Uhls, M.A. MBA, researcher with the Children’s Digital Media Center@LA (CDMC@LA) at UCLA, Regional Director of the Los Angeles office of Common Sense Media and doctoral student of developmental psychology, is an informed and personable authority on media effects on children. Her research has been featured in the NY Times, CNN, Time Magazine, CBS Los Angeles, KPCC, AOL News and many other news outlets. She writes for both academic and non academic audiences and frequently speaks to schools, educators, and corporations such as Disney, Star Eco Center, American Association for University Women, Wildwood School, Pacific Palisades Elementary school and more. Yalda recently won UCLA’s psychology in action award, which recognizes an outstanding doctoral student who contributes to the translation of psychological research for non academic audiences. In addition, she received an honorable mention for a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship. Prior to her academic career, Yalda was a Senior VP at MGM, in film production, as well as a consultant to Google, Santa Monica.
All About this Site
Today’s children have grown up in a world where they have access to media 24/7. Our kids are so familiar with these new technologies that they are sometimes called digital natives, as opposed to those of us born before the digital age, the digital immigrants (Prensky). Media today change so rapidly that it is often dizzying to keep up with everything our kids throw at us. And as the world has changed, those concerned with youth development are beginning to catch up to offer resources for parents, educators and policy makers on how these new technologies are affecting development.
Although research is beginning to delve into the myriad of ways that new technology impacts human development, the dissemination of that research to those outside of the academic community has a way to go. Excellent resources such as Common Sense Media have begun to fill the gap with comprehensive ratings on all things media as well as information for teachers and guidelines for parents.Parenting in the Digital Age will focus specifically on translating academic studies into easy-to-read language for parents, with an emphasis on psychological development, about how digital media and development interact. In addition, given that technology can be a major distraction and in some cases may undermine academic or other kinds of motivation, this site will offer information about strategies to motivate your child towards achievement. Today’s media offer many incredible resources and learning opportunities. At the same time, today’s media offer a multitude of diversions that aren’t all necessarily positive. This site will offer information and facts about both for the family in the digital age.
