Kara Alaimo, PhD

Why you should tell a friend about that embarrassing thing that happened | CNN You should share personal things with others to help deepen relationships vital to your life, behavioral scientist Leslie John argues in her new book, “Revealing.”

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/h...

Landlines are ringing in homes again. Why parents are happy about that | CNN Some parents say that bringing back landlines is benefiting their kids. This retro technology is delaying social media use and improving communication skills.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/h...

The key to a fulfilling life? Feeling like you matter to others | CNN Behind acts of road rage or incivility are a desperate need to matter to other people, says Jennifer Breheny Wallace in her new book on the value of mattering.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/h...

Your kids are spending so much more time on their phones at school than you think | CNN Adolescents spend an average of 70 minutes of their school days on their phones, new research finds. But parents can help suggest ways kids not use phones at school.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/h...

Should parents outside Australia adopt the country’s social media ban? Our kids may thank us later | CNN Your children don’t need a ban on social media for teens under age 16 for you to remove their access to social media. We know it makes them less healthy and happy

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/12/09/h...

Smartphones could be putting your kids at risk | CNN A new study on smartphone use and its effect on adolescents’ health may be one more reason parents should hold off on getting their kids the devices.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/12/01/h...

You haven’t screwed up your kids by letting them use social media. An expert has tips for what to do | CNN In her new book, “Smartphone Nation,” social media expert Kaitlyn Regehr helps parents manage their digital media consumption and teach kids healthy tech habits.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/h...

Kids are getting smartphones at much younger ages than many experts recommend. How to handle it | CNN Technology use is prevalent for most kids, including younger ones. Here’s how parents can limit use of smartphones and social media before children are old enough.

My latest for CNN:
www.cnn.com/2025/10/13/h...

What your teenage son is really seeing on social media, according to new survey | CNN Most teen boys are exposed to “digital masculinity,” with posts showing up in their feeds that criticize their body, their emotions and girls, a new survey says.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/10/08/h...

Exhausted? The reason may be how you’re using technology | CNN Changing how you use technology can help ease exhaustion. Technology management expert Paul Leonardi explains why and gives tips in his new book, “Digital Exhaustion.”

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/h...

She started the ‘Log Off Movement.’ Here’s why Gen Z chooses to leave social media | CNN Gen Z tech activist Emma Lembke is one of a growing number of young adults leading a movement to take back control of their attention — by logging off.

I was interviewed by CNN about a movement of teens rejecting social media: www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/h...

I’m delighted to share the cover of the Turkish edition of OVER THE INFLUENCE, being published by one of the country’s biggest publishing houses next month. I’m told the title translates to ONLINE TRAPS.

From US Open 'hat thief' to Coldplay affair: CEOs keep going viral for bad behavior Smartphones are turning CEO scandals into viral spectacles, and boards are scrambling to respond to the changing environment.

I spoke to a reporter for Fortune about how chief executives' bad behavior affects the reputations of their companies: fortune.com/2025/09/03/u...

KTVU News at Noon The family of a Southern California teen is suing San Francisco-based OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT. The suit claims the chatbot helped their son create a detailed plan for his suicide.

I was interviewed by KTVU News in California about the lawsuit against OpenAI after a teen's suicide:
www.ktvu.com/video/1698753

Your kid is using AI for homework this year. Now what? | CNN Parents need to talk to their kids about when they should — and shouldn’t — use AI this school year. Here’s how to ensure AI is a tool, not a shortcut.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/08/20/h...

Teenage brains were stressed even before smartphones. How can you help your teen handle the strain? | CNN Journalist Matt Richtel sheds light on the teen mental health crisis and what can be done about it in his new book, “How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.”

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/08/14/h...

Here’s why teens don’t belong on dating apps | CNN New research suggests teens are using dating apps more than parents realize. Here’s why parents should talk to their kids about the risks of online dating platforms.

My latest for CNN: www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/h...

Don’t give children under age 13 smartphones, new research says | CNN Using smartphones before age 13 could damage kids’ mental health, according to a new study based on self-reports in a survey of nearly 2 million people in 163 countries.

My latest for CNN. This research is truly alarming. www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/h...

Why Your Ideal Customer Profile Belongs in Your Boardroom — The Fourth Effect Kara Alaimo didn’t just join Jackalo’s board. She became their biggest strategic advantage. As a mom and their ideal customer, she brings real-time insight into what truly drives buying decisions. He...

I was interviewed for this piece on the website of The Fourth Effect, a platform that matches women with board seats, and I couldn't agree with this message more. www.thefourtheffect.com/blog/why-you...

Cell phone use affects parent-child interactions, even when adults aren’t online | CNN You may have stopped scrolling your feed to play with your child, but your attention may still be with your social media, not with your kid, finds a new study.

One more piece from me for CNN earlier this week.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/07/...

Kids are asking AI companions to solve their problems, according to a new study. Here’s why that’s a problem | CNN Nearly three-quarters of teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly, new research finds. Moreover, one-third turn to chatbots for social interactions.

For CNN today, I wrote about kids using AI companions as friends. www.cnn.com/2025/07/16/h...

Hey, good morning. Here's the latest on Fred Pleitgen, Sam Altman, Kaitlan Collins, Tucker Carlson, Jessica Kurdali, David Ellison, Emily Jashinsky, "28 Days Later," and more...

Reliable Sources wrote about my training sessions trying to convince summer camp counselors to put their phones away for the summer:

view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/175...

When kids use screens, parents worry about the wrong thing, new study suggests | CNN Does your kid often neglect home responsibilities or schoolwork to play video games or scroll social media? They may be addicted. Here’s how to help them.

My latest for CNN
www.cnn.com/2025/06/18/h...

For Father's Day, I wrote about why dads in the US need paid paternity leave. www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...

Update: My CNN interview is now TOMORROW around 6:45pm EDT.

Screen time is both a cause and symptom of kids’ bad behavior, according to new research | CNN If your children are spending too much time on screens, it can cause emotional and behavioral problems and lead to more screen use, according to a new meta-analysis.

Here's my latest for CNN. Tune in to hear me talk about this with Jake Tapper live tonight somewhere around 6:40-7pm EDT.
www.cnn.com/2025/06/09/h...

Parents of successful kids give support but don’t micromanage | CNN Most parents of ultra-successful kids give them support and independence without micromanaging, according to a new book by writer Susan Dominus.

My latest for CNN:
www.cnn.com/2025/05/30/h...

Podcasts | No Silly Questions

Enjoyed speaking about my book in the Mother's Day episode of the No Silly Questions podcast: www.nosillyquestionspodcast.com/podcast/epis...

I'll be speaking about my book online through the West Islip library this Thursday at 6pm EDT. Register here: westisliplibrary.libnet.info/event/132411...

Social Media's Impact on Girls (with Kara Alaimo, PhD) How is social media access affecting young girls (and why we should keep them far away).

Enjoyed chatting about my book on the Scrolling 2 Death podcast!
www.scrolling2death.com/post/social-...