Why Are So Many Teens Struggling Right Now?

In this episode of In Focus, host Dr. Rupa Wong sits down with child psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Wakefield to unpack the quiet anxiety modern parents face while trying to keep their kids mentally well. Instead of leaning on clinical jargon, Dr. Wakefield explores the intense pressure of raising children in a hyper-connected world where every mistake can feel permanently recorded and magnified. The conversation centers on the heavy emotional toll of over-monitoring and why shifting our parenting roles is vital to keeping our kids grounded. It's a raw, hopeful discussion that reminds us why stepping back to focus on long-term connection matters far more than managing a daily checklist of expectations.  What You’ll Learn: The shifting developmental timeline that dictates when a parent must transition from a hands-on caretaker to a long-term consultant. A hidden danger built into digital algorithms that quietly alters how children consume high-stakes information online. The simple, counterintuitive conversational pivot that immediately halts teenage lecturing and opens up genuine emotional validation. How school-issued devices and clever digital workarounds bypass traditional household boundaries, completely rewriting the rules of modern stress management. The unexpected connection between personal self-compassion and cultivating deep psychological resilience within a chaotic family dynamic. Timestamps: 00:36 – parenting in a digital, high-pressure world 05:30 – failure and resilience in child development 08:32 – “good enough” parenting 11:40 – youth mental health and suicide risk 14:45 – social media and external validation 16:48 – warning signs of teen emotional struggle 20:22 – communicating with teens about hard topics 21:55 – creating a supportive family culture 22:43 – setting digital and device boundaries 28:55 – building internal self-worth and self-compassion Guest Resources: TTUHSC Website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/hdfs/affiliate_faculty/sarah-wakefield.php Instagram: @sarahbethwake Resources: Newsletter: https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up Instagram: @drrupawong Youtube Channel: Dr Rupa Wong Interested in becoming a patient?: Honolulu Eye Clinic Earn FREE CE Credit: Learn at Pinnacle App  This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices