Who We are
The Digital Wellbeing Hub is a pilot project of the Young Lives Research Lab at York University.
Led by Dr. Kate Tilleczek, the Young Lives Research Lab pursues research built in reciprocal collaboration with youth and youth-serving groups across countries, communities, cultures and worldviews.
In 2024–2025, the Lab launched a national research study into Youth and Digital Wellbeing in partnership with youth-serving organizations and a dedicated Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
This study builds on earlier interviews with Millennials about digital life. We reconnected with some of them years later, and also spoke with 36 Gen Z youth aged 15–29 about their digital experiences, challenges, and hopes for wellbeing.
From those interviews came our Digital Portraits—short videos created by youth themselves or by filmmaker Dr. Mark Terry—showcasing insights, reflections, and lived experiences across different dimensions of wellbeing.
The Youth Advisory Committee: In partnership with the Students Commission of Canada (SCC), we invited 11 youth from across Canada to help shape the study.
Meeting monthly, the Youth Advisory Committee edited interview questions, guided the Hub’s content and design, and ensured the work reflects youth voices. With support from SCC staff, they also engaged over 150 youth through two national SCC conferences.
At the same time, another part of our team synthesized existing research, identifying key insights and resources related to digital wellbeing. These are shared through our Research Snapshots and curated Resources.
This site is just the beginning. We’re excited to keep growing the Hub with and for youth, and to explore and support the many ways young people and their communities pursue wellbeing.
All drawings across the site by: Zakirah Allain,
YLRL Youth Advisory Committee Member
-
![]()
Dr. Kate Tilleczek
Founder & Director of
Young Lives Research Lab (YLRL)Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in
Youth, Education & Global Good -
![]()
Dr. James Stinson
Co-Principal Investigator for this project
Senior Research Associate
Evaluation Specialist -
![]()
Dr. Roxanne Cohen
Youth Engagement Lead for this project
Senior Research Associate
Rooted and Rising Co-Director -
![]()
Debbie MacDonald
Senior Research Associate &
International Project Manager at
Young Lives Research Lab -
![]()
Chantelle Edwards
Co-led Youth Advisory Committee
Lead, 21st Century Skills for the Students Commission of Canada. -
![]()
Emma Cognet
Co-Led Youth Advisory Committee
Network Coordinator at the Students Commission of Canada (SCC). -
![]()
Dr. Mark Terry
Developed Digital Portraits
Filmmaker in Residence
Youth Climate Report -
![]()
Dr. Ron Srigley
Co-Investigator in this project
Writer in Residence & Co-Investigator
Writer, Scholar, and Educator
Meet The Partner Organizations Behind the Hub
Young Lives Research Lab (YLRL)
We conduct unique research alongside young people and their communities to investigate their lives and experiences. We co-design educational resources and opportunities to better support wellbeing of people and planet work across three integrated areas of research:
1. Youth & the Digital Age 2. Education with/for Youth Wellbeing
3. Youth & Planetary Wellbeing
The Students Commission of Canada (SCC)
A charitable organization that purposefully works with others to ensure that young people are valued, heard and their ideas for improving themselves, the lives of their peers and communities are put into action.