Gaia Bernstein
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social
Technology policy expert; law professor: author and speaker.
Started using AI for tablets, then hotels, then... recipes I actually enjoy researching myself.
MIT study: ChatGPT users underperformed non-users.
When convenience replaces competence, we lose more than time.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
MIT study: ChatGPT users underperformed non-users.
When convenience replaces competence, we lose more than time.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
Delegating Tasks to AI: When Convenience Quietly Replaces Competence
From cooking recipes to hotel bookings, how small choices reshape our capabilities
open.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Started using AI for tablets, then hotels, then... recipes I actually enjoy researching myself.
MIT study: ChatGPT users underperformed non-users.
When convenience replaces competence, we lose more than time.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
MIT study: ChatGPT users underperformed non-users.
When convenience replaces competence, we lose more than time.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
I am pleased to share my guest essay published on Jonathan Haidt's substack After Babel. I explore how we can avoid making the same mistakes we made with social media with AI companion bots.
We Are Rushing Into the Same Mistakes With Social Media
www.afterbabel.com/p/dont-repea...
We Are Rushing Into the Same Mistakes With Social Media
www.afterbabel.com/p/dont-repea...
We Are Rushing Into the Same Mistakes We Made With Social Media
Let’s press pause on AI chatbots for kids
www.afterbabel.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I am pleased to share my guest essay published on Jonathan Haidt's substack After Babel. I explore how we can avoid making the same mistakes we made with social media with AI companion bots.
We Are Rushing Into the Same Mistakes With Social Media
www.afterbabel.com/p/dont-repea...
We Are Rushing Into the Same Mistakes With Social Media
www.afterbabel.com/p/dont-repea...
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
As we are about to start the new school year, it's exciting to see all the forthcoming scholarship by my fantastic Seton Hall Law colleagues! Read more about it: law.shu.edu/news/seton-h...
August 13, 2025 at 9:34 PM
As we are about to start the new school year, it's exciting to see all the forthcoming scholarship by my fantastic Seton Hall Law colleagues! Read more about it: law.shu.edu/news/seton-h...
I have just launched Digital Crossroads on Substack. Here I post how technology shapes our world through countless small choices we make without thinking; and how tech policy affects everyday life. I hope you will consider subscribing.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
Welcome to Digital Crossroads
Our Digital Path is Paved with Small Choices
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I have just launched Digital Crossroads on Substack. Here I post how technology shapes our world through countless small choices we make without thinking; and how tech policy affects everyday life. I hope you will consider subscribing.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
So proud of my wonderful Seton Hall colleague
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social! Wishing you a productive and fun sabbatical year @brookings.edu 🔥🔥🔥 law.shu.edu/news/profess...
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social! Wishing you a productive and fun sabbatical year @brookings.edu 🔥🔥🔥 law.shu.edu/news/profess...
Professor Bernstein Selected for a Prestigious Visiting Fellowship at the Brookings Institution - Seton Hall Law School
law.shu.edu
July 23, 2025 at 7:51 PM
So proud of my wonderful Seton Hall colleague
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social! Wishing you a productive and fun sabbatical year @brookings.edu 🔥🔥🔥 law.shu.edu/news/profess...
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social! Wishing you a productive and fun sabbatical year @brookings.edu 🔥🔥🔥 law.shu.edu/news/profess...
I interviewed with #Politifact about the dangers of imposing a ten year moratorium on AI state legislation.
Re the impact on kids online safety and and education:
'When you're thinking about kids, that’s a whole generation ... You can't undo this experiment."
www.politifact.com/article/2025...
Re the impact on kids online safety and and education:
'When you're thinking about kids, that’s a whole generation ... You can't undo this experiment."
www.politifact.com/article/2025...
Trump-backed bill may ban AI laws for a decade
Congress is considering a provision in the reconciliation bill that would block states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. Here are four things to know.
www.politifact.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I interviewed with #Politifact about the dangers of imposing a ten year moratorium on AI state legislation.
Re the impact on kids online safety and and education:
'When you're thinking about kids, that’s a whole generation ... You can't undo this experiment."
www.politifact.com/article/2025...
Re the impact on kids online safety and and education:
'When you're thinking about kids, that’s a whole generation ... You can't undo this experiment."
www.politifact.com/article/2025...
I am quoted in this New York Times article about how the proposed moratorium on states regulation of AI could halt efforts to protect kids from excessive screen time, related online harms and AI companion bots.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/b...
Companies Rely on Delaware Courts. Lawyers Reap Huge Fees There.
www.nytimes.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I am quoted in this New York Times article about how the proposed moratorium on states regulation of AI could halt efforts to protect kids from excessive screen time, related online harms and AI companion bots.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/b...
I spoke yesterday at the Brookings Institution event about AI companions; kids; socialization and education. You can watch the recording below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzm...
The AI generation: Balancing technology and socialization in education
YouTube video by Brookings Institution
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I spoke yesterday at the Brookings Institution event about AI companions; kids; socialization and education. You can watch the recording below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJzm...
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
Incredible to see "Moral Panic or Public Health Crisis? Lessons From Drugs and Gambling for 'Addictive' Design" now out in print!
With my amazing @EmoryLaw 2L coauthor, Kevin Yan.
When was the last time you saw a Music Man epigraph?
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
With my amazing @EmoryLaw 2L coauthor, Kevin Yan.
When was the last time you saw a Music Man epigraph?
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
May 6, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Incredible to see "Moral Panic or Public Health Crisis? Lessons From Drugs and Gambling for 'Addictive' Design" now out in print!
With my amazing @EmoryLaw 2L coauthor, Kevin Yan.
When was the last time you saw a Music Man epigraph?
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
With my amazing @EmoryLaw 2L coauthor, Kevin Yan.
When was the last time you saw a Music Man epigraph?
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcont...
I was interviewed by @mashable.com about AI companion bots: "There is an opportunity to intervene before the norm has become very entrenched," says Gaia Bernstein, a tech policy expert and professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law.
mashable.com/article/ai-c...
mashable.com/article/ai-c...
Why experts say AI companions aren't safe for teens — yet
Youth mental health and safety experts are most worried about these AI companion features.
mashable.com
May 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I was interviewed by @mashable.com about AI companion bots: "There is an opportunity to intervene before the norm has become very entrenched," says Gaia Bernstein, a tech policy expert and professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law.
mashable.com/article/ai-c...
mashable.com/article/ai-c...
I am honored that the Seattle University Law Review just published a symposium volume on my book: Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies.
The symposium focuses on Addictive Technology and Children. Please check it out.
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/
The symposium focuses on Addictive Technology and Children. Please check it out.
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/
Seattle University Law Review | Student Publications and Programs | Seattle University School of Law
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digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu
March 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I am honored that the Seattle University Law Review just published a symposium volume on my book: Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies.
The symposium focuses on Addictive Technology and Children. Please check it out.
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/
The symposium focuses on Addictive Technology and Children. Please check it out.
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/
Just published - my new article: Gatekeeping Screen Time: Configuring the Regulation of Addictive Technologies and Kids' Privacy Rights papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Gatekeeping Screen Time: Configuring the Regulation of Addictive Technologies and Kids' Privacy Rights
We all, and especially our kids, spend many hours on screens. Many current studies uncover the harms of excessive screen time for kids. In reaction, legislature
papers.ssrn.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Just published - my new article: Gatekeeping Screen Time: Configuring the Regulation of Addictive Technologies and Kids' Privacy Rights papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Please tune in to my conversation with Andrew Keen on the risks of AI companions.
keenon.substack.com/p/episode-22... important warnings by @gaiabernstein.bsky.social about threat of AI companions to kids
Episode 2241: Gaia Bernstein on the Threat of AI Companions to Children
AI Companions as the New Frontier on Kids' Screen Addiction
keenon.substack.com
February 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Please tune in to my conversation with Andrew Keen on the risks of AI companions.
Last opportunity to register to Seton Hall Law School's AI Companions online symposium tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 18 ,12 pm-2:30 pm EST. You can register here: : bit.ly/40Ztl2j
February 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Last opportunity to register to Seton Hall Law School's AI Companions online symposium tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 18 ,12 pm-2:30 pm EST. You can register here: : bit.ly/40Ztl2j
Please join us for our online symposium on AI companions, to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 12 pm-2:30 pm EST. We will explore how are AI companions manipulative? What is the business model? What can parents do? And what are the legal options to regulate them? You can register here: bit.ly/40Ztl2j
February 6, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Please join us for our online symposium on AI companions, to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 12 pm-2:30 pm EST. We will explore how are AI companions manipulative? What is the business model? What can parents do? And what are the legal options to regulate them? You can register here: bit.ly/40Ztl2j
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
‼️Children's data is at risk without their knowledge or consent.
Rethink how we safeguard children's digital futures with our Exec. Dir. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr. @gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness Shields & @chriswmckenna.bsky.social.
📌Davos, 23/1
🖊️Reg: futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1 #WEF2025
Rethink how we safeguard children's digital futures with our Exec. Dir. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr. @gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness Shields & @chriswmckenna.bsky.social.
📌Davos, 23/1
🖊️Reg: futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1 #WEF2025
January 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
‼️Children's data is at risk without their knowledge or consent.
Rethink how we safeguard children's digital futures with our Exec. Dir. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr. @gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness Shields & @chriswmckenna.bsky.social.
📌Davos, 23/1
🖊️Reg: futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1 #WEF2025
Rethink how we safeguard children's digital futures with our Exec. Dir. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr. @gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness Shields & @chriswmckenna.bsky.social.
📌Davos, 23/1
🖊️Reg: futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1 #WEF2025
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
🤔Who controls your child's data?
Join our ED. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr.
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness @joannashields.bsky.social & Chris McKenna on 23 Jan in Davos to rethink how we protect children in a data-driven world.
Register now🖊️ futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1
#WEF2025 #davos2025
Join our ED. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr.
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness @joannashields.bsky.social & Chris McKenna on 23 Jan in Davos to rethink how we protect children in a data-driven world.
Register now🖊️ futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1
#WEF2025 #davos2025
January 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🤔Who controls your child's data?
Join our ED. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr.
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness @joannashields.bsky.social & Chris McKenna on 23 Jan in Davos to rethink how we protect children in a data-driven world.
Register now🖊️ futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1
#WEF2025 #davos2025
Join our ED. Leanda Barrington-Leach, Dr.
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social, Baroness @joannashields.bsky.social & Chris McKenna on 23 Jan in Davos to rethink how we protect children in a data-driven world.
Register now🖊️ futurehousedavos.io?autoopen=1
#WEF2025 #davos2025
My Substack post about Meta's announcement that it will discontinue fact checking, while continuing to provoke anger and discord through its addictive algorithm. And all is done at the expense of their most vulnerable users - kids.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
Giving Up on the Truth?
Meta Announced It Will Discontinue Fact Checking
open.substack.com
January 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
My Substack post about Meta's announcement that it will discontinue fact checking, while continuing to provoke anger and discord through its addictive algorithm. And all is done at the expense of their most vulnerable users - kids.
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
open.substack.com/pub/gaiabern...
Reposted by Gaia Bernstein
"'You chose to use our product, so you are fully responsible for the harms.' The tech industry applied this strategy by extending responsibility to the parents of their minor users."
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social
After Babel
tinyurl.com/5n7md6t9
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social
After Babel
tinyurl.com/5n7md6t9
The Tech Industry’s Playbook To Prevent Regulation
The Tech Industry is using an old trick – shifting the responsibility entirely to us
tinyurl.com
December 11, 2024 at 10:14 PM
"'You chose to use our product, so you are fully responsible for the harms.' The tech industry applied this strategy by extending responsibility to the parents of their minor users."
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social
After Babel
tinyurl.com/5n7md6t9
@gaiabernstein.bsky.social
After Babel
tinyurl.com/5n7md6t9
I am pleased to share my article on Jonathan Haidt's Substack "After Babel." It explains how the tech industry learnt from the tobacco industry to evade regulation by shifting responsibility to its consumers - in this case the parents.
www.afterbabel.com/p/tech-indus...
www.afterbabel.com/p/tech-indus...
The Tech Industry’s Playbook To Prevent Regulation
The Tech Industry is using an old trick – shifting the responsibility entirely to us
www.afterbabel.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:30 PM
I am pleased to share my article on Jonathan Haidt's Substack "After Babel." It explains how the tech industry learnt from the tobacco industry to evade regulation by shifting responsibility to its consumers - in this case the parents.
www.afterbabel.com/p/tech-indus...
www.afterbabel.com/p/tech-indus...
New blog post: Should We Want to Fix Social Media?
gaiabernstein.com/should-we-wa...
gaiabernstein.com/should-we-wa...
Should We Want to Fix Social Media?
I watch my followers dwindle on X while growing on BlueSky. The cycle of social media migration continues, leaving me wondering - do I really want to start over again? Was it ever that good to begin w...
gaiabernstein.com
November 23, 2024 at 11:09 PM
New blog post: Should We Want to Fix Social Media?
gaiabernstein.com/should-we-wa...
gaiabernstein.com/should-we-wa...
On my way to DC to speak at the Summit on the Future of the Internet. I was at DC just a month ago for another conference, but it feels much heavier traveling there now.
summit.projectliberty.io?fbclid=IwY2x...
summit.projectliberty.io?fbclid=IwY2x...
Summit on the Future of the Internet
Summit on the Future of the Internet - Thursday, November 21, 2024
summit.projectliberty.io
November 21, 2024 at 3:09 PM
On my way to DC to speak at the Summit on the Future of the Internet. I was at DC just a month ago for another conference, but it feels much heavier traveling there now.
summit.projectliberty.io?fbclid=IwY2x...
summit.projectliberty.io?fbclid=IwY2x...
My new article about who should legislatures make the gatekeepers of kids screen time: parents, tech companies or both?
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Gatekeeping Screen Time: Configuring the Regulation of Addictive Technologies and Kids' Privacy Rights
<p><span>We all, and especially our kids, spend many hours on screens. Many current studies uncover the harms of excessive screen time for kids. In reaction, le
papers.ssrn.com
November 21, 2024 at 2:38 AM
My new article about who should legislatures make the gatekeepers of kids screen time: parents, tech companies or both?
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....