Drew Cingel studies the interaction between human development and media effects. He is particularly interested in understanding how facets of child and adolescent development influence media choice and the effects of exposure to media. He has worked with different media companies, and primarily uses experimental and survey methodologies. Currently, he is an Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor for the Department of Communication at UC Davis. He is also a member of the Human Development Graduate Group. Cingel’s broad area of research examines how human development influences how individuals use media, and how media use influences human development, specifically child and adolescent development. He is primarily interested in the effects of social media on adolescent mental health, children’s learning from media, including television and tablet computers, and the influence of media on child and adolescent moral reasoning. He regularly consults with media companies and policymakers on questions related to designing media to support children's and adolescents' healthy development.