Are We Training Distraction? How Social Media Is Weakening Cognitive Skills in Teens with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#247)

This week, Melanie sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss new research showing how social media use in adolescence may be changing the way our kids think.Most parents know that excessive screen time can impact mood and sleep, but Dr. Stacey explains how it goes much deeper — affecting attention, memory, and even language development. Together, they explore what’s happening inside the adolescent brain, why even “moderate” social media use can interfere with learning, and what parents can do to protect cognitive growth during these crucial years.You’ll also hear the story of one teen whose focus and motivation began to unravel with increased online use — and how simple changes helped restore his ability to think clearly and engage again in real life.Key Takeaways:How social media overstimulates the brain’s reward systemWhy cognitive performance may decline even with moderate useThe “opportunity cost” of screen time — what our kids lose when they scrollPractical steps for helping teens build stronger focus and healthier habitsIf you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s smartphone is interfering with their ability to think, focus, and learn, this episode is for you.Access FREE "Undoing Choices" DownloadSupport the showDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!ScreenStrong Tech RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin