What does friendship look like for kids today and how is technology redefining it? From video game chat streams to social media DMs, children and adolescents are forming and maintaining friendships in ways previous generations never experienced. These digital connections are reshaping what it means to be a friend and how friendships influence young people’s well-being.
Children and Screens brought together leading child and adolescent psychologists and researchers for the #AskTheExperts webinar “Friendship in the Screen Age: What is it, and How is it Changing?” on February 12, 2026.
Panelists discussed:
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- How online life has transformed norms, expectations, and boundaries for youth friendships
- How the ubiquitous presence of smartphones during in-person interactions affects young people’s feelings of security and closeness with friends
- What parents need to know about how and where youth are making friends online – and the potential benefits and risks involved
