Digital Wellness & Safety

Young people today are growing up in a digitally saturated world where everything from their social lives to their education come through a screen. We are, however, only beginning to understand how technology and interactive media impact their mental, physical, and social-emotional health and development. As digital tools become more deeply embedded in daily life, it is essential to develop evidence-backed guidance to direct the creation and use of interactive technology and media so that our young people can thrive and prosper in online spaces.

The Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital is committed to advancing healthy digital media experiences for young people, from birth through young adulthood. Based at one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, the Lab builds an evidence base for digital wellness by conducting and translating rigorous research on the effects—both positive and negative—of technology use. Drawing on clinical experience from across the hospital, including our Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), and the latest scientific findings, the Lab creates and shares actionable guidance for clinicians, caregivers, and industry to support the digital wellbeing of children, families, and society.

The Digital Wellness Lab, founded by Dr. Michael Rich, was launched in March 2021. It evolved from the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital, founded by Dr. Rich in 2003.

The Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Guide includes tailored resources for Preschool (ages 0–5), Grade School–Tween (ages 6–12), and Teen–Young Adult (ages 13–22).

Family Digital Wellness Guide

The 5 C's of Media Use

A New Approach to Help Families Balance Media and Promote Healthy Habits

Pediatricians and providers often need quick, simple ways to discuss digital media with families. To help, they developed The 5 Cs of Media Use.

Screens are part of everyday life for children and teens. Families play an important role in supporting students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health as they navigate media and technology. Pediatric experts recommend the 5 Cs as a simple framework to guide healthy screen use at home.

The 5 Cs include:

Child – Screen use should reflect a child’s age, developmental stage, and emotional needs.
Content – Choosing positive, age-appropriate media supports learning and well-being.
Calm – Screens should not replace opportunities for children to build healthy coping and self-regulation skills.
Crowding Out – Too much screen time can interfere with sleep, physical activity, relationships, play, and family time.
Communication – Open conversations about media help strengthen connection, trust, and responsible decision-making.

A Balanced Approach

The 5 Cs focus on balance rather than strict limits. This approach supports families in building routines that promote emotional health, strong relationships, and healthy development.

Family Resources

The 5 Cs Resource Hub offers age-based handouts, short videos, and practical tools to help families apply these ideas in everyday life and support students’ overall well-being.

For more information, please click here: The 5 C's of Media Use

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org)

Connect Safely (connectsafely.org)

Family Online Safety Institute (fosi.org)

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (netsmartz.org/parents)

National Crime Prevention Council (ncpc.org)

Stopbullying.gov

FAMILY MEDIA PLAN - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx