Logged Off, Better Off?

The Happy Tech Lab, in collaboration with the Georgetown Technology Policy Initiative (GTPI), successfully executed a workshop titled “Logged Off, Better Off? Evaluating Social Media Policy in the U.S. and Australia.” Led by Grace Falgoust (PhD student) and Bella DeLeo (undergraduate), the event served as a formal dissemination of findings supported by the Tech and Public Policy (TPP) Grants Program.

The workshop examined the efficacy of international regulatory frameworks, specifically comparing Australia's legislative milestones with domestic U.S. initiatives. Beyond policy analysis, the session engaged 25 student participants in identifying critical data gaps required for the long-term evaluation of youth mental health outcomes. This event reinforced Georgetown’s commitment to fostering student-led, interdisciplinary dialogue at the nexus of technology and public interest.

The Science of Digital Detox—Dr. Kushlev Featured in The Washington Post

Can a break from your smartphone actually reverse cognitive decline? In a recent feature for The Washington Post, Dr. Kushlev discusses a study on digital detox he co-authored, published in PNAS Nexus. The study found that participants who limited their mobile internet use for just 14 days saw improvements in sustained attention equivalent to reversing a decade of age-related cognitive decline. Beyond focus, the study also noted significant boosts in mental health and well-being. Overall, the research suggests that even short or imperfect breaks from our devices can lead to lasting positive changes. Read the full article here.

Dr. Kushlev Honored at Spring 2026 Convocation

Georgetown University’s College of Arts & Sciences recently held its Spring 2026 Faculty and Staff Convocation to celebrate the outstanding contributions of its community members. Dr. Kushlev was one of only three professors awarded the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award! This award recognizes faculty for their exceptional classroom instruction and dedicated mentorship of undergraduate students. You can read more about the award and honorees here.

Dr. Kushlev Receives the Dean's Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Kushlev received the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award! This award honors Georgetown University faculty with exceptional classroom instruction and distinctive mentorship of undergraduate students. It is a testament to Dr. Kushlev’s commitment to research mentorship and innovative pedagogical approach.

The Promise and Peril of Mental Health Apps

Happy Tech Lab researchers Kostadin Kushlev, Kibum Moon, Maureen Harris, and Grace Falgoust published a paper on mental health apps in Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences. They found that mental health apps can improve symptoms for certain mental health disorders when compared to no treatment. However, this evidence of efficacy is lacking in populations that are underserved by existing mental health services, and many mental health apps claim to be evidence-based without any publicly available peer-reviewed evidence. Read the full paper here!