Emily Weinstein

Emily Weinstein is a principal investigator at Project Zero and Co-Director of the new Center for Digital Thriving. For over a decade, her work has focused on chasing answers to questions like: How do today’s technologies shape teens’ lives and development? What’s hard for them and why? How can adults better support kids who are growing up with unprecedented connectivity?

Emily's published work includes the book Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing), which details insights from original research with more than 3,500 U.S.-based youth and has received widespread coverage, including from The Today Show, NPR, TIME, WIRED, and The Washington Post. She also publishes academic work in peer-reviewed journals across multiple fields, including communication, psychology, and youth development.

Emily holds a doctorate in Human Development & Education and a master's degree in Prevention Science & Practice, both from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is also passionate about youth voice, empowering digital agency, and helping communities rethink digital citizenship. She is a longtime collaborator of Common Sense Education and works closely on research behind their award-winning digital citizenship curriculum.

Emily began working at Project Zero in 2011, first on the Developing Minds and Digital Media Project and then on The Good Participation Project. Other past projects include the Digital Dilemmas Project and Reimagining Digital Well-being.