What is Social Media Doing to Kids? with Dr. Jean Twenge
About this episode
Dr. Laurie Santos interviews Dr. Jean Twenge about the impact of social media on adolescent happiness and mental health.
Over the past decade, rates of depression and loneliness have surged among young people. Many researchers point to one major change: the rise of smartphones and social media. But what does the data actually show? Psychologist Jean Twenge has spent years studying how technology shapes adolescent happiness. Dr. Laurie sits down with her to unpack new findings from the 2026 World Happiness Report on how social media use affects teen wellbeing around the world. What happens when kids spend hours a day on these platforms? Is any amount of social media actually beneficial? And what can we all do to build healthier relationships with our phones, regardless of age? Resources mentioned in this episode: “ What is the International Day of Happiness? ” “ World Happiness Report 2026 ” iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood “ Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” “ National Trends in the Prevalence and Treatment of Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults ” “ Pew Research Center Mobile Fact Sheet &rdquo…
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