Today’s youth are growing up in a digital world that offers both connection and risk. With mental health challenges on the rise, the technology industry has a rare opportunity to lead the way in creating tools that truly help the next generation thrive. 

In this session, leading tech innovators, psychologists, and researchers will share how behavioral science can unlock the design of digital experiences that are ethical, scalable, and trusted. 

What you’ll learn: 

• The psychological realities of how digital environments affect youth. 
• Strategies for integrating resilience and protective factors into platforms and apps. 
• Real-world examples of digital environments that support mental well-being. 
• New opportunities for collaboration between behavioral experts and technology leaders. 

This is a roadmap for building the next generation of digital health and wellness tools — innovation that isn’t just buzzworthy, but truly changes lives. 

Who shouldn’t miss this? 

• Tech leaders and product developers looking to design digital tools that engage youth while safeguarding their well-being. 
• Startup founders and investors exploring opportunities in the rapidly growing digital health and mental wellness markets. 
• Platform and app designers seeking strategies to integrate evidence-based features that foster resilience and trust. 
• Public health stakeholders interested in scalable, ethical solutions for youth mental health. 
• Researchers and behavioral experts who want to collaborate with the tech industry to bring science into practice. 

Linda Charmaraman, PhD

Senior Research Scientist, Wellesley College

Dr. Linda Charmaraman is a senior research scientist at Wellesley College and director of the Youth, Media, & Wellbeing Research Lab. Her longitudinal research on adolescent social tech use has been funded by NIH, Children & Screens, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among others. She was co-author of APA’s (2023/2024) advisories on adolescent social media as well as AI and wellbeing (2025).

Janine M. Jones, PhD, NCSP, LP

Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs, UC Santa Barbara

Michael Robb, PhD

Head of Research, Common Sense Media

Michael Robb, PhD, is Head of Research at Common Sense, studying how media and technology shape kids’ lives. He’s led major work on screen use, learning, and digital well-being, with research featured widely in academic journals and media. He previously worked at YouTube Trust & Safety and the Fred Rogers Center.

Rebecca Ruiz

Senior Reporter, Mashable

Rebecca Ruiz is a Senior Reporter at Mashable. She frequently covers mental health, digital culture, and technology. Rebecca is particularly interested in AI chatbots and youth well-being and the role that artificial intelligence can play in mental health interventions. She has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and a masters degree from U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

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