Psychology Professor Jean Twenge discusses the impact of social media on youth mental health. The podcast explores challenges of parenting in the digital age, the rise of teen depression linked to smartphone use, and strategies for managing digital interactions. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reflects on connecting with his daughters amidst societal shifts influenced by technology.
Teenage mental health is significantly impacted by social media use, leading to higher depression rates and feelings of obligation to be always online.
Parents face challenges in monitoring and setting boundaries for their teenagers' technology use, emphasizing the need for understanding and managing risks associated with social media.
Deep dives
Impact of Social Media on Teenage Health
The podcast delves into the significant impact of social media, particularly smartphones and platforms like Snapchat, on teenage mental health and well-being. The discussion centers around the rise of teen depression rates and the shift from casual usage to feeling obligated to be constantly online. Professor Jean Twangi highlights the correlation between increased social media use and negative psychological outcomes, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and understanding how teenagers interact with these technologies.
Parenting Challenges in the Digital Age
The episode highlights the challenges faced by parents, including CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, in navigating the digital landscape with their teenage children. Dr. Gupta's personal insights as a father of three daughters shed light on the struggles of balancing technology use with parenting decisions. The conversation also explores the complexities of setting boundaries, managing screen time, and understanding the potential risks associated with social media.
Nuances of Technology Use and Self-Care
The discussion emphasizes the nuanced relationship between technology use and self-care among teenagers. While social media is often perceived as a problem, the episode introduces the concept that teenagers may use digital platforms as a form of self-soothing. This perspective challenges the binary notion of social media being solely detrimental, highlighting the importance of understanding how teenagers engage with technology for their well-being and emotional regulation.
Technology has advanced at breakneck speed over the past decade. And that’s disrupted our lives — the ways we interact with each other, work, learn, and even grow up. This season looks at the impact all this technology is having on young people. Like many parents, this topic is personal for Dr. Sanjay Gupta. In our first episode, Sanjay speaks with one of the people most directly impacted by it all: his daughter Soleil. Plus, a conversation with Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, about how social media is affecting youth mental health.
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