Google just launched a surprising partnership that puts Big Bird and Cookie Monster at the forefront of digital safety education. Through Google.org, the tech giant is backing Sesame Workshop to create new resources teaching kids healthy relationships with technology, complete with beloved Muppet characters demonstrating digital wellness habits.
Google is betting that Elmo and friends can succeed where parental controls and screen time limits have struggled. The company's philanthropic arm just announced a partnership with Sesame Workshop that transforms beloved Muppet characters into digital wellness ambassadors for America's youngest internet users.
The collaboration, announced today through Google's official blog, represents a notable shift in how tech companies approach child safety online. Instead of reactive measures like content filtering, Google is investing in proactive education that teaches kids foundational digital habits before problems develop.
"Today's post is brought to you by the letters D and W — for digital wellbeing," wrote Samantha Hennessey, who leads Google.org's Stronger Communities for the Americas initiative. The playful reference to Sesame Street's iconic opening perfectly captures how this partnership merges childhood education with serious tech policy concerns.
The new resources, available at Sesame.org/digitalwellbeing, feature original video content where Muppet characters demonstrate practical digital wellness techniques. Kids learn to "stop and take a breath" when using digital media and discover ways to prioritize connections with loved ones over screen time. It's a characteristically Sesame Street approach - turning complex behavioral concepts into simple, memorable lessons.
But Google and Sesame Workshop aren't stopping at online videos. Throughout fall 2025, the partnership will bring digital wellbeing workshops directly to families through public libraries nationwide. Librarian-led sessions will help children and caregivers practice healthy digital habits together, creating community-based support systems that extend beyond individual households.
The timing reflects broader industry concerns about children's digital exposure. Google first outlined its digital wellbeing commitments in 2024, emphasizing collaboration with child development experts, online safety specialists, and mental health professionals. This Sesame Street partnership represents the most visible execution of that strategy to date.
