The second speaker presenting on our virtual stage is Tiffany Aguilar, VP of Research & Strategy of MarketCast Kids. Play is forever evolving, but the lack of face-to-face interaction with friends has accelerated a number of kid lifestyle shifts to digital that were already in motion. Is it time to say goodbye to make-believe and real-life toys, or will everything return to normal once kids can get together again? Join us on October 22 as we explore the long-term implications of these seismic changes to the way kids spend their free time.

Anxiety amongst Gen Alphas was already on the rise, but COVID-19 has shifted that stress into overdrive. Next up in our Kids of 2022 series on October 27, Human Branding CEO Johanna Faigelman will dive into new research exploring how kids are coping, and the many ways in which a shared generational trauma will inevitably shape how they grow up.

Step aside, superheroes and Instagram stars—kids are looking at doctors, nurses and front-line workers in a whole new light these days. Watch along on October 29 as Kids Insights Research and Trends Director Sarah Riding introduces us to the new heroes and idols kids want to be like, diving into which ones are most likely to have staying power. 

As the social and educational parts of kid life continue to migrate to digital, the balance between online and offline has changed drastically in a very short timeframe. Our Kids of 2022 series wraps up on November 5 with Lauren Glaubach, YouTube’s Head of Kids & Family Content, breaking down viewing trends she’s seeing now, how kids are blending digital and IRL like never before, and which habits will probably stick around post-pandemic.