Taming Teen Anxiety

Are Your Teen's Digital Habits Fueling Their Anxiety?

In this eye-opening episode of Whinypaluza, host Rebecca Greene speaks with licensed therapist Donna Moss about the rising epidemic of teen anxiety in today's digital world. With 30 years of experience helping adolescents navigate life's challenges, Donna provides invaluable insights into creating balance and supporting mental health in an increasingly complex world for young people.

Key Takeaways

→ Establishing a daily structure is essential for teens' mental health - having consistent routines, hobbies, and adequate sleep helps combat anxiety by providing stability and purpose.

→ The combination of ubiquitous smartphones (starting around 2010-2011) and fear-based parenting has created what psychologist Jonathan Haidt calls "the anxious generation" - teens who spend more time on devices and less time in real-world social interactions.

→ Parents need to find the middle ground between being too controlling and too detached. They should listen more than they speak and create boundaries around technology use, allowing space for growth and independence.

→ Physical well-being significantly impacts mental health - ensure teens are getting enough sleep, eating properly, exercising regularly, and visiting their doctor for check-ups (medical issues can sometimes manifest as anxiety or depression).

→ Teens engage in black-and-white thinking well into their twenties - help them recognize this pattern and guide them toward seeing nuance and "gray areas" in situations that trigger anxiety.

Quotes from Donna Moss

"You need to have a plan, a schedule, a hobby, a thing every single day. Otherwise, you lose your motivation. If you avoid everything, then you don't learn anything, you don't grow."

"Always be curious, not judgmental. Tell them, 'You could tell me anything. It's not gonna shock me, it's okay. I'm not gonna tattle tale,' and you gotta build that trust."

Connect with Donna Moss

Website: donnacmoss.com Continuing education: Donna offers a two-hour course on her website that provides credits for social workers and mental health professionals in New York Therapy services: Currently accepting new clients in New York and Vermont

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