Is social media making us anti social? Jake Ernst, a therapist specializing in working with teens and adolescents, joins me on the podcast today to discuss the impact of social media and disinformation on young people. He highlights the shift from play-based childhoods to phone-based childhoods and the reorientation of norms influenced by internet culture. We also explore the challenges of living two realities: online and offline, and the erosion of social etiquette in online interactions. He discusses the rise of AI therapists and the importance of discretion and relationship in therapy. Ernst emphasizes the need for assessing screen use in therapy and the extremes of the internet. If you are a parent, worried about your child's screen time or worried about how social media is impacting you, you will definitely want to tune in!

Takeaways

The shift from play-based childhoods to phone-based childhoods has had a significant impact on the social lives of teenagers, reorienting their norms towards internet culture.
Living two realities, online and offline, can create challenges for teenagers and adults alike, as it can lead to a feeling of disconnection and a struggle to find balance.
The social validation features of social media, such as likes and comments, can lead to a narcissistic pursuit of social validation and a focus on quantity over quality of connections.
Passive scrolling and passive use of social media can be more detrimental to mental health than active and pro-social use, such as connecting with friends and engaging in positive online communities.
Tips for therapists and parents to assess and monitor screen use in teenagers, finding a balance between allowing social media use for social connection and limiting passive scrolling and antisocial behaviors.

If you are interested in therapy or learning more about my practice, Therapy for Women Center, visit www.therapyforwomencenter.com. We currently serve 40+ states virtually and have three physical office locations in the Philadelphia area.

I would love to connect with you, reach out to me on instagram and TikTok @therapyforwomen. To suggest a topic, buy my books, please visit www.amandaewhite.com.

Jake Ernst (he/him) is a social worker, psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and Clinical Director at his group practice clinic, Straight Up Health in Toronto, Canada.

With over a decade of experience in the helping profession, Jake is a trusted subject-matter expert in the areas of mental, emotional, and social health (MESH). Jake is a regular media contributor and a frequently cited voice advancing the mission of social health and connection.Jake talks about modern dilemmas and the ways modern stress is making us more disconnected on his podcast, This Isn't Therapy , and in his weekly newsletter, Just Trying To Help on Substack.

Evening Wire: Harvard Professor Arrested & SNL Mocks J.K. Rowling | 10.6.25

Morning Wire

Outro

The AI-powered Podcast Player