Professor Rachel Barr Interviewed by the Washington Post

Professor Rachel Barr, PhD, was interviewed by the Washington Post in a story on the consequences parents and children will face thanks to Congressional cuts to public broadcasting. The story cited Barr as observing that some criticism of children’s media was “misplaced,” because even young children can benefit from technological engagement. Barr stated that: “It’s not about the content or the moral panic of, ‘Oh my God, children are just glued to their screens and their brains are going to turn to mush.’” Instead, she said, “the issue is the way that the design is set up.” The story cited her as cautioning that “algorithmic feeds and videos designed to maximize watch time” do not benefit children.