Eli Stark-Elster

Eli Stark-Elster, a UC Davis researcher focused on childhood autonomy, joins host Ayesha Rascoe to discuss kids' holiday screen time. They explore how urbanization has limited children's unsupervised play, highlighting the historical norms of autonomy. Eli argues that digital spaces provide a new frontier for peer cultures but warns about the risks of commercialization in games like Roblox. He stresses the importance of balancing safety with opportunities for independence, as autonomy is crucial for child well-being. Quality of screen time matters!