The Teen Mental Health Crisis: What Technology Is Really Doing to Our Kids

The teen mental health crisis can no longer be ignored. Anxiety, depression, attention issues, and suicidal ideation are rising—and the science is increasingly clear about the role screens are playing in reshaping our kids’ brains. As we continue to revisit our most talked-about conversations from 2025, this remains one of the most shared and downloaded. In this episode, I’m joined by Sissy Goff, therapist and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling, and Niro Feliciano, cognitive psychotherapist, wife, and mom of four. Together, we break down how technology and algorithms hijack neurochemistry, create unhealthy dopamine cycles, and impact attention, sleep, and emotional regulation. We also talk about what parents can do—how to set healthy boundaries, what warning signs to watch for, and why there is real reason for hope.  I also share why I’m choosing not to give my youngest a phone—and why just because you did it with one child doesn’t mean you have to do it again. This is an empowering, practical conversation for anyone raising kids in a world that never logs off. Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.  Listen in to learn more: [4:13] Gender Differences & Social Media Effects [7:06] Developmental Setbacks from Tech and Pandemic [12:43] Dopamine Deficit and Screen Time [27:44] Parental Strategies and Boundaries In this episode, we are diving into how anxiety presents differently for boys and girls, the impact of technology on teen social and emotional development, the correlation between teen mental health issues and technology, what technology and social media are doing to teen brains, signs and symptoms of mental health concerns in teens, research on dopamine and brain chemistry, navigating conversations around social media and phones with teens, making changes to how you handle phones and social media within your family, and healthy boundaries for social media and technology. LINKS : Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter   https://www.paulafarisofficial.com/newsletter  Connect with Paula on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/paulafaris/?hl=en  THE CARRY™ ALL NEWSLETTER by and for working moms  https://carrymedia.com/the-carry-all/  Connect with Sissy Goff https://www.instagram.com/sissygoff/?hl=en  Connect with Niro Feliciano  https://www.instagram.com/niro_feliciano/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices