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.

How do you help your child feel confident in who they are — without creating pressure to be perfect or the best at everything?

In this Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers thoughtful questions from listeners about how to support self-esteem in kids and teens. Building healthy self-worth isn’t just about praise — it’s about helping young people feel capable, valued, and grounded even when life is hard or they fall short.

Drawing from clinical insight and everyday parenting strategies, Dr. Anderson tackles common concerns around negative self-talk, comparison, perfectionism, and how to model healthy self-esteem as an adult.

Topics Covered

• How to build kids’ confidence without making them feel entitled
• What to do when your child says “I’m stupid” or “I hate myself”
• Helping kids avoid harmful social media comparisons
• Encouraging risk-taking when kids are afraid to fail
• Supporting kids when they hear something unkind from a peer
• Knowing the difference between low self-esteem and a rough patch
• What to do when a child’s self-esteem depends on one area (like sports)
• Moving beyond achievement as a source of pride
• How to support perfectionists without reinforcing pressure
• Why how you talk about yourself matters — and how to model healthy self-worth

Resources Mentioned

Find expert tips and tools for supporting kids’ self-esteem in our show notes at childmind.org/podcast

🎧 Subscribe to the Thriving Kids Podcast for weekly episodes on parenting, mental health, and child development.

💬 Got a question you’d like Dr. Anderson to answer in a future Q&A? Submit it at childmind.org/podcast

In a world full of comparison — from the classroom to social media — it’s not always easy for kids to feel confident, capable, and valued just as they are. In this episode of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie, a clinical psychologist in our Anxiety Disorders Center, to explore how parents can help children develop true self-esteem that lasts.

You’ll hear about creating a safe, supportive home environment, encouraging healthy challenges, and finding the right balance between nurturing and pushing kids to grow. Dr. Louie shares practical, real-world examples (yes, even from her own parenting life) that show how small shifts in what we say and do can make a big difference in how kids see themselves.

In this episode:

• Why unconditional love is the foundation of self-esteem
• The role of challenge and the “zone of proximal development”
• Encouraging kids to try new things — even when they’re nervous
• Why effort matters more than achievement
• Helping kids recover from mistakes and “beautiful oopses”
• The pros and cons of participation trophies
• Avoiding overscheduling and making space for intrinsic motivation
• Supporting self-esteem in the teen years

Tips for Parents & Caregivers (from Child Mind Institute):

• Show your love daily — not just with words, but with your presence.
• Share family values as guiding principles, not just rules.
• Expose kids to a variety of activities so they can discover their passions.
• Encourage meaningful, attainable goals — not too easy, not too hard.
• Focus on effort and the learning journey, not just results.
• Celebrate perseverance and model confidence.
• Help kids see mistakes as opportunities to grow .

Resources & Links:

• 7 Tips for Raising Confident Kids
• Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids
• More episodes of the Thriving Kids Podcast

What do you do when your child is struggling to make friends, or causing drama in the ones they have? In this Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents and caregivers about how to help kids build and maintain healthy relationships, from early childhood through the teen years.

We cover:

• How to explain that not everyone will like you — and that’s okay
• What to do if your child doesn’t seem to have “real” friendships
• How to support your child’s social life if you’re a shy parent
• How to help a tween handle peer rejection
• What to do when your teen gossips or ghosts their friends
• How to respond to “bossy” behavior in younger kids
• Why teen friendships can sometimes feel toxic — especially among girls
• What to do when an older sibling is being unkind
• How to recognize emotional dependence in friendships
• Tips for supporting a child with ADHD who struggles socially

Whether your child is 6 or 16, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you guide them toward strong, supportive friendships — and build the social-emotional skills they’ll use for life.

Resources Mentioned:

• Friends & Socializing Resources for Parents
• Being a Good Friend – Hedgehog Land Episode — from our Emmy and Webby-nominated series for young kids, featuring music by Lake Street Dive
• Submit a question for a future Q&A episode

Be sure to subscribe and check out last week’s main episode with Dr. Mandi Silverman: How Do I Help My Child or Teen Build Positive, Healthy Friendships?

Friendships are a major part of growing up — but they don’t always come easy. In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson talks with Dr. Mandy Silverman, clinical psychologist and member of the Child Mind Institute’s Clinical Advisory Council, about how to support your child’s social development at every stage.

From navigating playdates to managing screen-based relationships, they unpack what’s typical (and what’s not), how to encourage connection, and what to do when your child seems left out. Whether your child is struggling to make friends or just figuring out who they click with, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world perspective.

Subscribe for expert-backed parenting advice every other Thursday.

More free resources at childmind.org/thrivingkids

Resources Mentioned

From the Child Mind Institute:

• Friends and Socializing Resource Center

childmind.org/topics/concerns/friends-socializing

• How to Help Kids Make Friends: 12 Evidence-Based Tips

childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-make-friends

• Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends

childmind.org/article/kids-who-need-a-little-help-to-make-friends

• Helping Children Make Friends: What Parents Can Do

childmind.org/article/helping-children-make-friends-what-parents-can-do

• Contact a Clinician

childmind.org/contact

• The Thriving Kids Projects

childmind.org/education/outreach-partnerships/thriving-kids

Other Helpful Reading:

• APA – Help Kids Navigate Friendships

apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/08/help-kids-navigate-friendships

• Harvard Health – What Parents Can Do

health.harvard.edu/blog/helping-children-make-friends-what-parents-can-do-202301052874

• Verywell Family – Recognizing Controlling or Toxic Friendships

verywellfamily.com/signs-your-friend-is-controlling-and-a-bully-460803

• Raising Children Network – Encouraging Positive Behavior

raisingchildren.net.au/

In this first Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real parenting questions about kids’ behavior — what it is, how to shape it, and how to support children through challenges.

We cover:

• How to handle lying, even when kids show no remorse
• Teaching respect, kindness, and standing up for others
• Whether there’s such a thing as “good” or “bad” behavior
• What to do when boys’ behavior becomes more destructive as they grow
• How to help kids recognize areas for growth without shame
• What to do when a high-energy child is sensitive to feedback

For more on this topic, check out our full episode with Dr. Caroline Mendel: How do I promote good behavior in my children?

Resources mentioned:

• Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids video series → childmind.org/positiveparenting
• Full podcast feed → childmind.org/podcast