Desmond Patton (@dupatton.bsky.social)(Faculty Advisor) is a PIK University Professor and founding director of SAFElab. His research focuses on how online communities influence offline behavior and seeks to better integrate culture, context, and inclusion into machine learning analysis.

Tired Parents Club spoke to Professor @dupatton.bsky.social about when you should give your child access to a cell phone and how teachers can utilize cell phones in their classrooms:

Decoding Language of Grief and Joy in Digital Life, a new #nosuchthingpod episode - come join @dupatton.bsky.social and I for a discussion of social media, AI, and interpretation #research #media #technology #youth Follow ☝️for info on release of his new new book. shows.acast.com/nosuchthing/...

"what does it mean to privilege JOY in AI development?" @dupatton.bsky.social sharing his insights at #SSWR2026 @pennsp2.bsky.social

“What if I told you social media isn’t just a platform but a neighborhood?"- @dupatton.bsky.social, keynote speaker at our symposium. A leading researcher on social media and community gun violence, his work is reshaping how we approach digital spaces in violence prevention. White paper coming soon!

Three Penn faculty members, including PIK Professor @dupatton.bsky.social, are among more than 40 experts to author a report addressing the persistent challenge of gun violence and proposing solutions stemming from a JAMA Summit convened last spring:

In the latest episode in her special podcast series, Through to Thriving, Tech Policy Press fellow @anikacolliernavaroli.com talks with @dupatton.bsky.social about his personal and intellectual engagement with the concept and practice of joy, and what it all has to do with technology and policy:

In the latest episode in her special podcast series, Through to Thriving, Tech Policy Press fellow Anika Collier Navaroli talks with Dr. Desmond Upton Patton about his personal and intellectual engagement with the concept and practice of joy, and what it has to do with technology and policy:

I really enjoyed this conversation!

How are aggression and violence affecting youth in digital spaces? #ChildSafety Gain critical insights for building a safer, more equitable digital landscape for children from @dupatton.bsky.social, @drmandyk.bsky.social, and others at #MediaAndMinds25. Secure your spot today: bit.ly/3zOUbjH

“We are only slowly beginning to understand the impact that social media is having on violence. In the 21st century we really need to invest in this space.” @upenn.edu professor and @nam.edu member Desmond Patton shares his perspective while attending #JAMASummit.

Your joy plan index card.

Saturday of ##SOBP2025 starts at 8am(!!) but we're here for exciting talks on AI. Dr. Desmond Patton presents important work on social media and gun violence. Highlights important interactions between virtual and physical neighborhoods and discussing CASM- with caution on potential misuse.

An absolutely incredible talk by @dupatton.bsky.social! So many implications and tips for engaging with communities and the important of community expertise in our research!

📍The Book I’ve Been Holding in My Chest I’ve been writing a book for years—one shaped by a single question:Who gets to be understood online? It’s about grief, algorithms, and Gakirah Barnes.She was 17.She was brilliant.Her life—lived on Twitter—has something to teach us all.

To Curb #Online Sexual Abuse of #Children, Experts Look to #AI undark.org/2025/03/31/c... | Thanks to Dr @dupatton.bsky.social for chatting with me for @undark.org

How can AI help us predict language and communication patterns that reveal how violence operates? How can it be used as a research tool? In this #PennAI video, @dupatton.bsky.social discusses how he uses AI in his research. Watch the full video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqki...

"Collaboration often means reconciling different ways of knowing--whether it's the lived experiences of community, or the technical precision of data science, or the structural perspectives of social work." Check out @dupatton.bsky.social's keynote at SSWR this year!!!!

They are coming for every university, if you think you’re safe because it hasn’t been yours yet I don’t know what to tell you. Join AAUP, refuse to comply, organize your colleagues

🎤 MONDAY, MARCH 17 🎤 Listen as Dean Sarah Banet-Weiser talks to Annenberg Professors @dupatton.bsky.social and Julia Ticona about joy and care in the latest episode of Annenberg Conversations.

Reporters—covering cell phone bans in schools? Our recent Q&A with Dr. Desmond Patton (@upenn.edu) is available and free for you to use/clip/quote in news stories to add research-backed info for your readers/viewers/listeners. bit.ly/4hBOGoq @dupatton.bsky.social

As schools across the country crack down on cellphones, we sought @dupatton.bsky.social's expertise in order to assess the situation and provide insights into digital wellness:

📽️HAPPENING TODAY! The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Shawn Kornhauser, executive producer @dupatton.bsky.social, and producer Shana Kleiner of SAFELab. Learn more:

join us!

✨ Manifestation isn’t magic—it’s mindset + action. Science shows that visualizing joy and aligning actions with intentions can rewire your brain for happiness. Your JoyPlan Challenge: Write down your ideal joyful life as if it’s already happening. Be bold, be specific, be YOU.

🚀 A Joyful Internet is a Safer Internet 🌍💛 The internet should be a place to connect and thrive—not one filled with harm. A safe internet is a joyful, where youth feel seen, AI supports well-being, and platforms uplift. At SAFELab, we’re building tech that centers care, community, and joy.

"Why you acting tough on IG Live?" 🤔📲 Social media isn’t just posts—it’s survival, identity, and community. But when AI misreads culture, safety becomes surveillance. A safer internet means understanding language and context. At SAFELab, we’re building AI that protects without criminalizing.

Philly is buzzing—Eagles gear everywhere, packed brunch spots, pure anticipation! 🏈 Anticipatory joy boosts dopamine + shifts our mindset. If we can imagine worst-case scenarios, why not the best? What’s bringing you joy this week? #JourneyToJoy #PhillyJoy#Joyplan

Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.

💡 Joy is a practice, not an accident. Step 1 of the #JoyPlan: Intentionality 🎯 🔹 Choose joy on purpose 🔹 Create small daily rituals 🔹 Make space for what lights you up Joy isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy. What’s one small way you’ll invite joy today? ⬇️ #JoyPlan #IntentionalJoy #Wellbeing

📱Annenberg’s SAFELab has developed a new app that teaches adults to look more closely at social media posts of teens and young adults. Read about its origins, purpose, and insights in our article featuring @dupatton.bsky.social: www.asc.upenn.edu/when-young-p...

Your time is yours. An authentic joy plan isn’t about chasing happiness—it’s about setting boundaries, reclaiming time, and protecting peace. You don’t have to meet every deadline or be "nice" to everyone. Kind, yes. Respectful, always. But joy? That’s yours to define. #JoyPlan

Black History is Black Joy. Despite efforts to erase, we persist. And so does joy. Today, I stood in front of Black art that reflected our light, resilience, and imagination. From family portraits to bold colors bursting with possibility—we are here. Joy is our birthright. #joyplan

Feeling joy today because i got to be in community at safelab we celebrated big wins but what i love most are our real check ins because we cant do the work if we arent whole what’s bringing you joy today. #joyplan

Rest and pampering = pure joy. 🛁✨ Lately, I’ve been loving skincare routines (thanks to my NYT bestselling husband, Jeff!) and naps under a cozy weighted blanket. What’s your favorite way to recharge? Let’s share the joy! 💆🏽‍♂️ #Rest #Pamper #JoyPlan

"What we've do in our lab is that we give young people a moment to pause and say, 'Oh, I didn't even realize what I was watching or how I was participating in it.'" - Prof. @dupatton.bsky.social discusses teens streaming school fights and how @safelab.bsky.social helps youth to process violence.

Social media feels complicated. Sharing joy connects me, but endless discourse (#47, speculation, fear) pulls me in every direction I’m focusing on what I can control: 1️⃣ My time online 2️⃣ My audience (block/silence as needed) 3️⃣ Curating joyful content What keeps your feed joyful? 🌟 #Joy #Wellness

One of the highlights of #SSWR2025 was @dupatton.bsky.social's talk. Fun fact: As Desmond and I were taking a selfie, @naswsocialworkers.bsky.social's CEO, Anthony Estreet photo bombed. When I was at the NASW Pioneer event in 2023, he did the same thing. I see a pattern :-)

On days that feel uncontrollable, I’m reminded that we can’t control everything, but we can choose joy. Joy isn’t ignoring hard emotions—it’s holding them with hope. Let them act; let us resist with joy. 💛 #JoyIsResistance #ManifestingJoy #JourneyToJoy

Siva, Safelab co director, describing our InterpretMe platform.