Also, I was interviewed for a TV news segment that is a bit more top-level. See the video and story here:

Still, I can’t help but call it my favorite to date. Countless hours of work, but equally incalculable knowledge-gained throughout this experience.

Cheers to my next favorite (and those in between).

In the time between first drafting to publication of this paper, I’ve:
- co-authored FIVE+ other peer-reviewed publications,
- completed all PhD courses AND my comp exams, and
- written & analyzed more than half of my dissertation…

On a personal note:

This work, published in Information, Communication, & Society (open access!!), is my first ever first-authored, peer-reviewed research pub… to say this particular acceptance means more than the average is an understatement.

Using a path analysis of 2,500+ adolescents, we find that online leisure, like social media & video games, fosters digital skills which ultimately benefits performance.
Gender-specific differences also emerged in how digital skills+screen time ultimately benefit & even narrow achievement gaps:

read our full report: shorturl.at/2Qev1

or, if you'd like to learn more abt this research / look into some of my other work on digital connectivity, feel free to check out my website (gabehales.com) [open 24 hrs!].
thank ya kindly 🩶

overall: fast, reliable broadband infrastructure matters! and online "play"/screen time, like social media & video games, is incredibly important for student success.

while social media, video games, etc. have the potential for harm among some; #screentime was crucial for how young people managed relationships during lockdowns.

online "leisure" time continues to play a pivotal role in how adolescents connect, self-regulate, & develop knowledge relevant to life.

while feelings of isolation were rampant during lockdowns, we found no difference in student's self-esteem compared to before the pandemic.

young people are also now spending more time in person with friends than they did before COVID. and, those who spend more time using a variety of online media, especially social media, are spending the most time in person with friends.

If you're interested in learning more abt my work, dog, etc., feel free to check out my website: gabehales.com (I just updated this bad boi).

thank ya kindly 🩶

I've published & presented papers at multiple conferences on topics like gender differences in digital skills/digital divides and how digital technology relates to adolescent well-being.

I also love stats. and walking my dog.