THE EVERYDAY SIDE OF DEVELOPMENTFriendships don’t fit
Friendships don’t fit
inside a screen.
We’re interested in how young people’s digital experiences relate to making friends and getting along with others.
DIGITAL MINDS IN DEVELOPMENT
Growing up
in a digital
world.
Your friendships. Your phone. Your world.
We’re exploring how digital life relates to the way young people connect and grow.
Recruitment is open / Let’s start with your questions.
01 THE PROJECT
Digital lives.
Real connections.
Growing up means figuring out friendships, understanding other people and finding where you belong.
Today, a lot of that happens with a phone in our hands. Digital Minds in Development is a University of Birmingham research project exploring how smartphone and social media use is linked with early adolescents’ social development.
We’re asking thoughtful questions to help families, schools and others better understand young people’s lives in a digital world.
Meet the research behind the project02 WHAT WE’RE EXPLORING
More than
screen time.
Digital life is about more than hours on a screen. It’s also about the people, experiences and relationships around it.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE POSTSAnother message.
Another message.
Another point of view.
Understanding what other people think and feel is part of social development. We’re exploring these skills alongside digital life.
CONNECTIONS THAT KEEP GROWINGOnline moments.
Online moments.
Real relationships.
Building positive relationships is an important part of growing up. We want to understand how this relates to smartphone and social media use.
03 USEFUL RESOURCES
Resources for
digital life.
Guides about social media, online wellbeing and online safety for young people, families and schools. We’ll add project resources here as they become available.
01 / FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Feeling good on social media
Ideas for reflecting on how social media feels and making your time online more positive.
02 / FOR FAMILIES
Supporting online wellbeing
Conversation starters and practical advice for supporting children’s wellbeing in a digital world.
03 / FOR SCHOOLS
Teaching online safety
Guidance for bringing age-appropriate online safety learning into lessons and the wider school community.
LET’S ASK
BETTER QUESTIONS.
BETTER QUESTIONS.
04 TAKING PART
Recruitment is openYour questions
are welcome.
Curious about Digital Minds? Whether you’re a young person, a parent or carer, or part of a school, we’d love to hear from you.
The research team can explain who can take part, what participation involves and answer your questions.
Ask about taking part s.j.arias@bham.ac.uk05 THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE QUESTIONS
Meet the
Digital Minds.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, brought together by a shared interest in how young people connect and develop.
01
Principal Investigator
Dr Daniel Pérez-Zapata
A cognitive developmental psychologist exploring social understanding, digital environments and adolescent development.
02
Co-Investigator
Prof Rory Devine
Professor of Developmental Psychology, with expertise in social cognition, executive function and developmental differences.
03
Research Associate
Samanta Arias
Research Associate in Psychology at the University of Birmingham and a contact for questions about the project.
06 NEWS & UPDATES
Project news
& updates.
Project news /
Backing research into young people’s digital lives
Digital Minds is among the research projects supported by the Huo Family Foundation, helping researchers explore digital habits and adolescent development.
Read the funding announcement07 GOOD QUESTIONS
A little more
to know.
Curiosity is a good place to start.
Here are a few answers.
What is Digital Minds about?
We’re exploring how smartphone and social media use relates to early adolescents’ social development. The project looks at digital life alongside making friends, getting along with others and building positive relationships.
What do you mean by ‘social competence’?
It’s a research term for the skills we use to connect with other people — for example, making friends, understanding others and getting along. We use everyday language here because the ideas matter beyond research.
How can I find out about taking part?
Email the research team to ask about the study. They can explain who can take part, what participation involves and answer your questions before you decide.
Is the project only for young people?
Young people’s development is at the centre of the research. Families, schools, educators and others interested in the project are also welcome to contact the team with questions.
Who is running and supporting the project?
Digital Minds in Development is a University of Birmingham research project led by Dr Daniel Pérez-Zapata, with Prof Rory Devine and Research Associate Samanta Arias. The project is funded by the Huo Family Foundation.