Who are we?
Transitions is a research project of the Adolescent Research Collaborative at the University of California, Berkeley. Under the direction of Dr. Ron Dahl and Dr. Lucía Magis-Weinberg, the Transitions team is composed of researchers and students from diverse academic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds who share an interest in understanding the impact of digital life on adolescent well-being. Adolescence is a unique stage of development characterized by both vulnerability and opportunity. Our goal is to identify the advantages and risks of using digital media and also to promote healthy digital habits through the Digital Citizenship Curriculum provided by Common Sense Education.
Why Latin America?
Most of the adolescents in the world are growing up in Africa, Asia and Latin America. However, most research focuses on countries in the Global North. In collaboration with Innova Schools, we have a unique opportunity to work for and with young people growing up in Latin America (specifically Peru and Mexico). Children and adolescents in Latin America use technology in particular ways: some are the same as in the Global North, but others are specific to their countries and culture. This means that the opportunities and risks offered by technology may be different in these areas. By studying Latin America, we can more broadly generalize our findings and gain insight into how different cultures and contexts handle technology.
What is our mission? What are our goals?
Our goals are:
1) get a better understanding of how Peruvian and Mexican children and adolescents are using technology
2) evaluate the impact of technology on the well-being of students
3) design a school curriculum focused on digital citizenship and digital customs that are positive that promise emotional and social development
4) emphasize the unique cultural perspectives of the digital lives of students growing up in Latin America
We want to promote digital citizenship by using a school curriculum in this population of students that is culturally appropriate and incorporating principles of developmental science.
Why do we incorporate digital citizenship?
Our team recognizes that children and adolescents are developing in a world dependent on rapidly changing technology. Our goal is to help students take responsibility in their digital lives, be active participants online, and develop critical thinking skills to make informed decisions online and in person.
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