Common Sense Research

csm research

About the Research Program

The mission of Common Sense Research is to provide parents, educators, health organizations, and policymakers with reliable, independent data on children's use of media and technology and the impact it has on their physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. For further inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

Featured Research

The State of Kids' Privacy: Evaluating the Safety and Security of Kids' Tech
July 31, 2019
What's the state of kids' digital privacy? This research series explores how various products address consumer privacy concerns and protect the personal information of their youngest users. Our latest study focuses on popular edtech products from 2019.
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The New Normal: Parents, Teens, and Devices Around the World
May 29, 2019
This cross-cultural research series focuses on how devices affect daily life for families in the U.S. and internationally. Our latest study reveals how devices interrupt nightly sleep habits and shares other insights into the realities of family life.
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The Common Sense Census: Inside the 21st-Century Classroom
April 18, 2019
This addition to the Common Sense Census features unique, data-driven insights into teachers' experiences with educational technology in their classrooms, from the benefits of teaching digital citizenship skills to the gaps in access that persists.
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Quarterly Survey Series
March 28, 2019
In today's 24/7 digital world, our relationship to media and technology changes constantly. This series identifies media-use trends and keeps pace with families' evolving perspectives on tech. Surveys are conducted in partnership with SurveyMonkey.
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Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences (2018)
September 10, 2018
Teens use media in unexpected and meaningful ways. This report surveys young people about how social media affects their social and emotional well-being, for better or worse, and explores the major changes and trends in social media use since 2012.
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Virtual Reality 101: What You Need to Know About Kids and VR
April 4, 2018
From immersive games to learning simulations, virtual reality is now a very real part of some families' lives. This report covers how VR may affect kids' development and captures parents' views on the benefits and drawbacks of having VR devices at home.
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Character Is Common Sense: A Report on an Initiative Linking Media, Kids, and Character Strengths
November 3, 2017
The Character Education and Life Skills Initiative helps parents and educators discover quality media that assist kids in developing positive character strengths. This report details the research, insights, and recommendations that guide the initiative.
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The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight 2017
October 19, 2017
New technologies are changing the way kids interact with media -- even in their earliest years. The 2017 Census builds on previous studies from 2011 and 2013 to reveal how media use among babies and young children has evolved over time.
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Watching Gender: How Stereotypes in Movies and on TV Impact Kids' Development
June 19, 2017
Kids learn a great deal about social norms from movies and television. This report explores the effects of on-screen gender stereotypes on kids' beliefs and behaviors and highlights opportunities for greater gender equity in children's media.
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