The Loneliness Epidemic: Big Tech’s Role and Responsibility

Dr. Ellen Braaten is the founding director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She has published numerous scientific papers on topics related to ADHD, learning disorders, child psychopathology, processing speed, and intelligence, as well as many books for parents and professionals, including the bestseller Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up and her newest book, Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child’s Motivation. Dr. Braaten has a strong interest in educating the public on topics related to child mental health, maintains an active speaking schedule, and contributes regularly to local and national news outlets.

Ashley Hocking is a startup executive and marketing strategist who builds and scales brands at the intersection of technology, wellness, and human behavior. As Head of Marketing at Boston Venture Studio, she helps create simple, beautifully designed products that use technology for good. Tools that make everyday life healthier, calmer, and more connected.

Within the studio, Ashley leads marketing for Steppin, a digital-wellness app that helps people spend less time scrolling, and more time living. Her work focuses on designing tech that supports well-being, balance, and real human connection.

Before joining Boston Venture Studio, Ashley played a key role in the growth of Purple Carrot, helping teach consumers how to incorporate plant-based foods as part of their everyday wellness routines. During her tenure, she helped guide the company from a $5 million startup to a $100 million leader in the meal delivery space, combining storytelling, behavior design, and data-driven marketing to inspire healthier living.

At this event, she’ll share her perspective on how technology can evolve to serve connection, health, and humanity.

I’ve been writing about technology since before the Internet was called that. I was the Chicago Sun-Times’ technology columnist for nearly twenty years and Boston Public Radio’s technology contributor for the past seven. I once let David Letterman horse around with Apple’s very first iPad, before it was released to the public. Apple is probably still kind of steamed about it, even though I told them what I was doing and it happened like 15 years ago.

I continue to maintain my optimism about technology’s potential to empower individuals and help us to understand society and humanity. The collective tech industry has failed to beat that out of me — but not for lack of persistence.

If you can spell my last name, you can find my writings and podcasts at my newly-relaunched (and therefore slightly broken) site, Ihnatko.com, as well as on most socials.

I continue to be an unapologetic fan of the em-dash, even though some people think it's a tipoff that the thing was written by ChatGPT.

John Borders IV is the City of Boston’s Director of Tourism, Sports & Entertainment, leading efforts to attract sporting events, conventions, festivals, and film/TV productions that highlight Boston’s neighborhoods and cultural diversity. Since stepping into the role in 2023, he’s focused on welcoming residents and visitors back through community-driven programming and stronger partnerships across the region’s visitor economy.

Before joining the City, John was Principal at VTH & Madison, advising high-growth and celebrity-backed brands with a focus on scaling businesses owned by people of color. He previously served as an Account Executive at EVERFI and as Senior Manager of Community Engagement for the Boston Celtics, where he built initiatives at the intersection of sports, youth, and community impact.

A Dorchester native and proud Morehouse College graduate, John brings a connector’s approach to civic leadership, bridging City Hall, local businesses, and creative industries to keep Boston vibrant, equitable, and open for everyone.