Digital Media and Social Connection in the Lives of Children, Adolescents, and Families

Digital and mobile media—including visual social media—are impacting children's and young people's sense of connection, belonging, and wellbeing. While the call for this Research Topic was first published in early 2020, the questions we raised took on greater significance with the spread of COVID-19. Indeed, the pandemic led to increased reliance on digital media given shelter in place and social distancing that greatly limited face-to-face interactions. Accordingly, it is even more critical to understand whether and how these media support or detract from social connection.