The first seminar in the Spring 2025 Mental Health Seminar series, Digital Minds: Brain Development in the Age of Technology examines how our increasingly connected world shapes mental and cognitive health. From screen time and social media to virtual interactions, this seminar delves into the latest research on how technology influences brain development, relationships, and emotional well-being. Join us to explore strategies for harnessing technology’s benefits while mitigating its potential challenges, empowering you to thrive in a digital age.
Dr. Eva Telzer, a Psychology and Neuroscience professor at Carolina, brings her expertise to this seminar on technology’s impact on mental health. She is an Associate Editor at Child Development and Social Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, and the co-director of the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development. Her research examines how social and cultural processes shape adolescent brain development, with a focus on both prosocial and risk-taking behaviors, family and peer relationships, and the role of social media in youth’s lives. She has authored over 200 publications and has received numerous awards for her work including the American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology. She is regularly featured as an expert in psychological science in consultation to government agencies and non-profit associations as well as the media.
This mental health seminar will take place on February 17th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., via Zoom.
The Mental Health Seminar series is open to students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff. The series creates an online space for learning, reflecting on, and discussing mental health. Seminars focus on research-to-practice, giving the audience both the science behind mental health and strategies they can employ right now. The overall goal is to empower all campus community members to help influence campus mental health and well-being.