Teens can be a rollercoaster - mood swings, pushback, and “leave me alone”… until they need a ride. In this Q&A, Dr. Dave Anderson answers parents’ real questions about staying connected when teens shut you out, handling blow-ups, setting boundaries that actually stick, supporting motivation for school, navigating dating and consent, spotting the line between “typical teen” and depression, coping with rejection, and social media comparison.

Have a question for a future episode? Email podcast@childmind.org.

In this special episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt for a live conversation on how smartphones and social media are transforming childhood — and what parents, schools, and policymakers can do in response.

Recorded at Guild Hall in East Hampton, this discussion dives into the big questions raised in Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation — and the points where he and Dr. Anderson see things differently.

They talk candidly about screen time, youth anxiety, social media “addiction,” digital literacy, tech regulation, and why we’re seeing such sharp mental health shifts in teens and tweens.

Whether you’re alarmed by what you see on your kid’s phone or just looking for practical next steps, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and room for multiple perspectives.

Topics include:
– The “post-play childhood” and decline in free time
– When (and if) kids should be using social media
– Why phones in schools are so hard to manage
– Where tech harms hit boys vs. girls differently
– What parents can do now — even if the genie’s already out of the bottle

Resources
– Learn more about The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: jonathanhaidt.com
– Explore the Child Mind Institute’s Screen Time & Technology resources: childmind.org/topics/screen-time-technology

Learn how to help kids use screens in a healthy way.
Special thanks to Guild Hall and the Hamptons Institute for hosting this event, and to journalist and filmmaker Perri Peltz for moderating with insight and care.

Raising a teenager isn’t easy — but it is possible to stay connected.

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Janine Domingues to explore how caregivers can support teens through adolescence — from emotional shutdowns to risky behavior to the weird world of YouTube.

Together they unpack:
• What’s really going on in the adolescent brain
• How to connect with your teen even if they won’t talk to you
• The power of shared rituals, from car rides to diner breakfasts
• Why you should care about what they care about (yes, even Minecraft)
• How to model communication — and stay regulated when they roll their eyes
• Tips for keeping teens safe around drugs, alcohol, social media, and more
• What to do when your teen shuts you out

Whether your child is 13 or 18, this conversation offers practical insights for building trust, maintaining open communication, and guiding kids through one of the most intense developmental phases of their lives.

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Resources for Parents & Teens:

🔹 Communicating with Teens
childmind.org/article/tips-communicating-with-teen/

🔹 Teens and Young Adults Resource Center
childmind.org/topics/teens-young-adults/

🔹 10 Parenting Tips for Preteens and Tweens
childmind.org/article/10-tips-for-parenting-your-pre-teen/

🔹 How do I help my child through the challenges they face in the teen years?
childmind.org/positiveparenting/teen-challenges

🔹 Principles of Parenting: Communicating with your Teen
aces.edu/blog/topics/home-family/principles-of-parenting-communicating-with-your-teen/

🔹 Talking to Your Teen About Healthy Relationships
riseandshine.childrensnational.org/talking-to-your-teen-about-healthy-relationships/

🔹 What Should I Teach My High School Aged Teen About Relationships?
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/high-school/what-should-i-teach-my-high-school-aged-teen-about-relationships#:~:text=You%20can%20help%20them%20expect,think%20makes%20a%20good%20relationship.