In this episode of Office Hours, Pediatric Primary Care Provider Edward Levy, MD, talks about screen time limits, smartphones, parental controls, and the newest parenting challenge: artificial intelligence. What happens when kids turn to chatbots for homework help, advice, or even companionship?
Ed shares practical advice, research, and some reassuring reminders for parents trying to keep up ever-changing tech.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Parenting guidance
American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.healthychildren.org
The 5 Cs of Media Use: https://www.healthychildren.org/Engli...
Family Media Plan: https://www.healthychildren.org/Engli...
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Research and authors
Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
Jean Twenge, researcher on technology and generational change: https://www.jeantwenge.com/
Peter Gray, psychologist and advocate for independent play: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/co...
Chaim Omer, psychologist known for his work on parental presence
AI and Teen Identity Formation, Cindy H. Liu and Tiffany Yip, Pediatrics (2026): https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2026-076609
Selected Podcast
Office Hours: Kids, Screens, and AI...Who's in Charge?
Featured Speaker:
Edward Levy, MD
Edward Levy is a Pediatrician at MIT Health. He earned his M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency and internship at Tufts University Medical Center. Outside of work, Dr. Levy enjoys fishing with his two sons, collecting and flying flags of many countries, cooking, and reading about New England history.