Welcome to the Technology, Teens, and Families Lab!
Our lab was established in 2022, directed by Dr. Xiaoran Sun, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota.
We use innovative data and methods to study the interplay among technology, adolescent development, and family systems.
Recent Projects
UMN Teen Social Media Study
This is a NIMH-funded project that aims to identify adolescents' social media management strategies.
Family Screenome Study
We study how adolescents and their parents use smartphones, and how their smartphone use impacts their family relationships and well-being.
Machine Learning for Family Research
How we use machine learning to advance discoveries in developmental and family research.
Celia T. Lee presenting her research in a paper session at the 2025 NCFR conference.
Photo Courtesy of Celia T. Lee
Award recipient Celia T. Lee at the 2025 NCFR conference, with her advisor Dr. Xiaoran Sun on her left and advisor Dr. Jodi Dworkin on her right.
Photo Courtesy of Celia T. Lee
Ting Xu presenting her research in a paper session at the 2025 NCFR conference.
Photo Courtesy of Ting Xu
Lab members Ting Xu and Eunyoung Park, with the session discussant Jodi Dworkin and another presenter Xiaoqi Ma, at the 2025 NCFR conference.
Photo Courtesy of Ting Xu
Lab members Sijin Chen (left) and Yunqi Wang (right) seated as presenters during a paper session at the 2025 NCFR conference.
Photo Courtesy of Sijin Chen
Sijin Chen presenting her research in a paper session at the 2025 NCFR conference.
Photo Courtesy of Sijin Chen
Join the Team
Dr. Sun is actively looking for students who have strong interests and backgrounds in working at the intersections of family dynamics (family systems processes), adolescent and young adult development (achievements & well-being), methodologies, and data sciences.