Announcing our new no-cost, in-person developmental science training program for LA-based policy professionals: UCLA CDA Developmental Science Academy for Youth-Serving Advocates! Applications are due by Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at 5:00 pm PT. Learn more: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/training-sch...

What kinds of policies can help set young people up for lifelong success? Our Co-Executive Director Andrew Fuligni spoke to legislators at NCSL's biennial Youth & Young Adult Policy Forum about how incorporating opportunities for contribution could make a big difference: www.ncsl.org/state-legisl...

At a recent convening hosted by Stanford's Gardner Center, our Co-Executive Director Andrew Fuligni shared insights from adolescent development relevant to alternative high school reform that improves educational experiences and outcomes for students: gardnercenter.stanford.edu/news/leaders...

Congratulations to National Scientific Council on #Adolescence member & @arizonastateuni.bsky.social Sanford School Director, @stephen-t-russell.bsky.social, on being named a 2026 Fellow by the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development! 🎉 Read more: news.asu.edu/b/20260715-a...

A new article from @theguardian.com focuses on NSCA member @candiceodgers.bsky.social's research on adolescent mental health & digital technology, discusses the new U.K. social media ban, and dives into the big issues driving changes in adolescent well-being: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

The social media ban sceptic: are we getting it wrong on kids, tech and mental health?

Psychologist Candice Odgers has studied adolescent mental health for 25 years. She fears the current debate around smartphones obscures some of the biggest issues facing teenagers – from the impact of...

theguardian.com

Summer break can be rich with opportunities for adolescents to explore, take healthy risks, & learn from the world around them!🏕️🥾 Our Summer Research Roundup highlights journal articles that focus on exploration and the natural world during #adolescence: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/resource/sum...

Introducing our new Adolescent Development Policy Council: 🟡 Sheida Elmi, @aspeninstitute.bsky.social 🟡 Jess Kirchner, @natlgovsassoc.bsky.social 🟡 Mai Xi Lee, @saccounty.gov Office of Education 🟡 Phil Matero, YouthBuild Charter School of CA 🟡 Jennifer Rodriguez, @youthlawcenter.bsky.social

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website! ✨ 💻This updated site and design include: 🔹 New search & filter features for resources 🔹 An integrated STEPS platform & library 🔹 Refreshed 'About Us,' Core Science & media pages ...and more! Explore now: developingadolescent.ucla.edu

What do adolescents really think about social media's upsides & downsides?🤳🎙️ In the last episode of our youth-led #Adaptivity podcast mini-series, YSCA members talk with Prof. Lucía Magis Weinberg about the advantages & challenges of using social media: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

Our Youth’s Perspective 2026: The Real Benefits and Challenges of Social Media - Center for the Developing Adolescent

Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence members Jeevana Doddi, Kevin Ramirez, and Yonathan Kiflezghie talk with University of Washington professor Lucia Magis-Weinberg about what research says are the...

developingadolescent.ucla.edu

In a new #TEDTalk, NSCA member Candice Odgers breaks down research about social media and youth mental health, and explains why social media bans may be disincentivizing tech companies from creating products that amplify benefits and limit risks for young users. Watch the full video below.

What we're getting wrong about teens and tech

For years, the warning has been: smartphones are destroying a generation. But developmental psychologist Candice Odgers says that decades of data on teens tells a different story — violence, alcohol u...

ted.com

Candice Odgers@candiceodgers.bsky.social · last mo.

Scary stories about teens sell. The data tells a different story. After decades studying adolescent mental health, here's what I found: This isn't an anxious generation. It's a resilient one. Let's start treating them that way. go.ted.com/candiceodgers

Relationships can be especially powerful during the adolescent years. In a new #Adaptivity podcast ep, YSCA members talk w/ Wayne State University Professor Hannah Schacter about the importance of friendships & romantic relationships during #adolescence: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

Our Youth’s Perspective 2026: The Importance of Friendships & Romantic Relationships

Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence members Brooke Smith, Danari Golden, Layah Belay Simmons, and Ananshah Sing who talk with professor Hannah Schacter from Wayne State University in Detroit about...

developingadolescent.ucla.edu

A new guide for funders, developed by Search Institute in collaboration with CDA & others, offers practical ways to align funding strategies with what young people need to thrive. Explore From Insights to Impact: Embedding Adolescent Development into Philanthropy: searchinstitute.org/resources-hu...

Embedding Adolescent Development into Philanthropy

This report provides practical entry points and real-world examples to help grantmakers translate developmental science into action.

searchinstitute.org

How can we support adolescents' mental health as they experience transitions? 🎙️ In a new #Adaptivity podcast episode, YSCA members talk with NSCA co-director @jenndsn.bsky.social about supporting youth as they explore new schools, friends, and roles: developingadolescent.ucla.edu/podcast/our-...

Our Youth’s Perspective 2026: Supporting Mental Health During Transitions

Youth Scientific Council on Adolescence members Jeevana Doddi, Kevin Ramirez, and Yonathan Kiflezghie talk with University of Washington professor Lucia Magis-Weinberg about what research says are the...

developingadolescent.ucla.edu

Our collaborator, Dr Nick Allen, the Ann Swindells Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at @uoregon.bsky.social, was recently featured in episode 19 of @cda-adolescence.bsky.social’s #Adaptivitypod. Take a listen! 🎧

UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent@cda-adolescence.bsky.social · 3mo ago

How will #AI shape the next generation's ability to love, work & connect? 🤝 In a new #Adaptivitypod episode, host Ron Dahl talks with researchers about what young people need to become connected & thriving humans in a changing world. 🎙️Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...

How is decision-making during #adolescence unique? 🧠Examine the brain science behind decision-making, learn in what contexts adolescents are more likely to make risky decisions, & explore how to support healthy decisions in a new Science Spotlight: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/steps-for-yo...

📽️ Watch our co-executive directors, Andrew Fuligni and Adriana Galván, share why #adolescence is an important window of opportunity and brain plasticity in a new UCLA Psychology Presents video titled, “The Opportunity of Adolescence”: www.psych.ucla.edu/news/ucla-ps...

How will #AI shape the next generation's ability to love, work & connect? 🤝 In a new #Adaptivitypod episode, host Ron Dahl talks with researchers about what young people need to become connected & thriving humans in a changing world. 🎙️Listen now: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/podcasts/ite...

The Digital Technology During #Adolescence webinar is ONE WEEK away! Join the CDA + @TheSpringPoint on May 19 at 10:00 am PT for a webinar with Candice Odgers about the impacts of digital technology on young people. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join the CDA + @TheSpringPoint on May 19, at 10:00 am PT, for a webinar about 'Digital Technology During #Adolescence'! @UCIrvine Prof. Candice Odgers will unpack research about the risks & benefits of digital tech use among young people. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join our co-executive director Andrew Fuligni tomorrow, May 5, at the National Summit on Youth Well-Being for a virtual presentation titled "The Need to Contribute: How Meaningful Roles Support Adolescent Development"! Learn more and register now: web.cvent.com/event/4436e4...

Learn why #adolescence is a special and unique period in development straight from the experts! Join our co-executive directors, Andrew Fuligni and Adriana Galván, on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 pm PT, for a virtual presentation exploring "The Opportunity of Adolescence": ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Psychology Presents: The Opportunity of Adolescence. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

New insights into adolescent brain development reveal the unique skills and learning potential that we have during this exciting period of development. Professors Galván and Fuligni will discuss the w...

ucla.zoom.us

How do we help adolescents build the skills they need to have meaningful careers and lives in this rapidly changing world? 🌎 In a new blog post, we explore how we can help young people navigate uncertain futures of work in an age of AI & new tech: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/na...

How can we strengthen the bridge that young people cross as they become adults? 🌉 Learn more in this fireside chat w/ our co-executive director, Adriana Galván, and the President & CEO of the @annieecaseyfdn.bsky.social, Lisa Lawson: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/blog/item/fi...

The Spring Research Roundup is out now! 🌸 Catch up on the latest adolescent development research with a curated selection of recent journal articles, summarized for our audiences. Read more: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

How does adolescent brain development shape risk-taking & learning, & why do relationships + opportunities to explore matter during #adolescence? Explore these questions in a new interview with our co-executive director Adriana Galvan + @wallacefdn.bsky.social! wallacefoundation.org/resource/art...

What Does Brain Science Tell Us About Adolescence?

How adolescent brain development shapes risk-taking and learning—and why relationships, exploration, and access to out-of-school-time opportunities matter

wallacefoundation.org

How We Thrive, a new book by Stephanie Malia Krauss featuring research on sleep and contribution from our co-executive directors, is now available everywhere! Learn more: www.corwin.com/books/how-we...

How We Thrive

It's time to start rehumaning our lives. Explore 14 essentials to counter overwhelm, reclaim humanity, and support well-being for kids and adults alik...

corwin.com

The videos from the #2026Summit are out now! 📽️ Watch scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and young people discuss how to help adolescents find purpose in career pathways, connect to benefits and programs, navigate #AI and uncertain job markets, and more: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Applying Developmental Science to Support Economic Opportunity - YouTube

The fifth annual Adolescent Brain Development Summit brought together funders, scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and youth to examine how we can apply...

youtube.com

As the world continues to grapple with issues around digital tech and young people, we are resharing our National Scientific Council on #Adolescence report, "Engaging, Safe, and Evidence-Based: What Science Tells Us Adolescents Need When Online": developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...

A new article from the Cornell Chronicle highlights recent research from NSCA member Anthony Burrow on how often a sense of purpose fluctuates during #adolescence, and why it is important to provide young people with opportunities to engage in purposeful pursuits: news.cornell.edu/stories/2026...

A stable sense of purpose helps teens navigate life’s challenges | Cornell Chronicle

Like their emotions and self-esteem, teenagers’ sense of purpose fluctuates day to day, and those who experience it steadily – not just intensely – may benefit most.

news.cornell.edu

Our research associate @neuralnat.bsky.social was at #NYEC2026 this week, leading the session "From Classmate to Coworker: Insights from Neuroscience to Support Youth During the Transition to Adulthood." Learn more about late #adolescence here: developingadolescent.semel.ucla.edu/topics/item/...