What Informs Our Work
The Canary Project exists to help families build healthier relationships with technology. Rather than producing original research, we serve as messengers—bringing together credible studies, expert insights, and lived experience, and translating them into practical guidance for everyday family life.
In a world where research is often dense or difficult to apply, our role is to make important ideas accessible and actionable. We carefully curate and summarize studies that inform our public presentations, conversations, and educational materials, with an emphasis on clarity, balance, and real-world relevance.
Many of the studies referenced on this page reflect the research that shapes our public-facing work. Additional supporting research tied to specific daily tasks and reflections is available within the Canary Project app and can be accessed upon download.
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It Sure Looks Like Phone Are Making Kids Dumber - The Atlantic
Brain Drain - The University of Chicago
Age, Period, and Cohort Trends in Mood Disorder Indicators and Suicide Related Outcomes in a Nationally Representative Dataset, 2005–2017 - American Psychological Association
Adolescent mood disorders since 2010: A collaborative review - Haidt, J., Rausch, Z., & Twenge, J. (ongoing). Unpublished manuscript, New York University.
The new CDC report shows that Covid added little to teen mental health trends - After Babel
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New Snap research: Gen Z remains a target for online sextortion - snap.com
A window into young children’s online worlds - ofcom.org.uk
TikTok's search algorithm directs new 13-year-old users to porn, in apparent breach of new UK law - Global Witness
Meta failed to address harm to teens, whistleblower testifies as senators vow action - NPR
Teens and Pornography - Common Sense Media
7 Ways Meta is Harming Kids: Findings from the Company’s Internal Studies - Center for Countering Digital Hate
Instagram Connects Vast Pedophile Network - Wall Street Journal
Majority Supports Social Media Ban for Children - Statista
D.C. schools are banning cellphones, joining almost half of the nation - Axois
Two families sue Meta over teens' deaths by suicide, citing 'sextortion' scams - NBC
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The Teen Mental Illness Epidemic - After Babel
Young athletes’ mental well-being is associated with smartphone social networking - nature.com
Nearly 4 in 10 employers avoid hiring recent college grads in favor of older workers - Intelligent
What Gen Z thinks about its social media and smartphone usage - The Harris Poll
Teens Spend Average of 4.8 Hours on Social Media Per Day - Gallup