Children and Screens’ virtual research retreat, “Character Matters: Values and Resilience in the Digital Age,” will explore how technology and digital media influence youth character development and what systems and contextual structures can support healthy development in today’s digital world.
The event will convene 100+ scholars, care providers, educators, and leaders from youth- and family-serving organizations for a virtual retreat that will inspire new research, education, and interventions into this timely subject.
Please note: this is an invite-only event.
Each day will focus on a different set of topics related to the theme of digital character development:
(Day 1): Youth Moral and Civic Development in a Digital World
12:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 28, 2026
(Day 2): Youth Intellectual and Performance Development in a Digital World
12:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 29, 2026
(Day 3): Youth Perspective and Engagement in a Digital World
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET, Thursday, April 30, 2026
(Day 4): Theory to Action
12:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET, Friday, May 1, 2026
See the Daily Program page for the full schedule.
The content of the research retreat will inform a four-part webinar series, to be released in Fall 2026, free to the public.
Since 2020, Children and Screens’ research retreats have gathered over 100 global experts across disciplines to examine urgent questions about youth media use. These events are designed to advance cutting edge research, foster cross-sector collaborations, inform and influence public policy, and educate key stakeholders with evidence-based insights. (Learn more about our past research retreats.)
If you have questions, please contact events@childrenandscreens.org.
This project is made possible through the support of Grant 633314 from the John Templeton Foundation.