the Script

Part 1 of 2. For years, the warning has been: smartphones are destroying a generation. But developmental psychologist Candice Odgers says that decades of data on teens tells a different story — violence, alcohol use and pregnancy are at historic lows, and research shows social media may not actually be the culprit for mental health problems. Hear her analysis of what’s really troubling kids these days, and why banning them from online spaces may make things worse.

You can (and should) keep up with the legal battles over social media, our kids, and the companies that prey on them. In the meantime, your kid will finish both middle and high school. Here's how you can keep your kid safe while letting them lean into the very natural development some of these apps facilitate.