Thriving Kids

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with actress and author Busy Philipps about parenting, mental health, technology, and staying actively involved in kids’ lives.

Dr. Dave discusses how parents can stay connected to what kids are seeing on the internet, including how to help them think critically about influencers and what to do when they start wondering if they have ADHD, depression, or another diagnosis based on mental health content they see online. He also explores how ADHD can be missed in girls and high-achieving kids, how to talk with children about scary news and current events, and why building a parent “village” can help families better understand what’s happening socially, online, and at school.

This episode offers practical guidance for staying curious, setting limits, building trust, and helping kids develop the critical thinking skills they need as they grow more independent.

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:
• How to stay involved in kids’ online lives without becoming “Big Brother”
• Why screen independence should grow through an “I do, we do, you do” model
• How to help kids think critically about influencers and online algorithms
• What to do when kids self-diagnose after seeing mental health content online
• How AI and social media can be useful tools without replacing real support
• Why ADHD is often missed in girls, women, and high-achieving kids
• How to talk with kids about politics, school safety, traumatic upsetting news, and current events

Further Reading
Social Media and Self-Doubt
Does Social Media Use Cause Depression?
Not All Attention Problems Are ADHD
Big Talks

Don’t forget, you can now watch Thriving Kids on Apple Podcasts and our Thriving Kids YouTube channel!

Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with best-selling author, actor, and activist Busy Philipps to discuss the challenges of modern parenting. Busy talks about her adult ADHD diagnosis, helping kids navigate mental health TikTok, and how to broach tricky conversations about the “manosphere” and politics with honesty and love. 
 
They also cover:
 
• Active parenting in the digital age. Busy shares why watching YouTubers and learning Roblox alongside her kids was more effective than setting blanket screen-time rules. 
 
• TikTok, self-diagnosis, and critical thinking. Mental health TikTok can empower kids to seek earlier diagnoses, but it can also lead impressionable teens to misidentify normal traits as disorders. Dr. Dave and Busy emphasize teaching kids to think critically about online health content and come to trusted adults with questions.
 
• Talking to kids about politics. A recent survey found that kids want open civic discourse. Dismissing children's political views is psychologically harmful, while honest, values-driven conversations — grounded in love and critical thinking — help them thrive.
 
 
Further Reading 
Teen Self-Diagnosis and How to Respond, Child Mind Institute
When Parent and Child Both Have ADHD, Child Mind Institute

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Candice Odgers about kids, social media, and what the research really says about screens and youth mental health.
Dr. Dave discusses how parents can set healthy limits around phone use without reacting out of fear, why screens are often part of a much bigger picture, and how families can focus on the core drivers of kids’ well-being — including sleep, school, friendships, family connection, offline activities, and caregiver mental health. He also explains how to respond when kids see something upsetting online, how to manage parent anxiety around tech headlines, and how to model healthier screen habits at home.

This episode offers practical guidance for helping kids use technology more intentionally, while keeping the focus on connection, communication, and the everyday habits that help children thrive.  
 

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:
How to tell the difference between healthy phone limits and fear-based reactions
Why screens should be considered in the context of a child’s whole life
What to focus on first when you’re worried about a child’s mental health
How to respond when kids see something upsetting online
Why parents should avoid passing tech anxiety on to kids
Why caregiver mental health is a major driver of child well-being
How to approach online risk when a child is already struggling offline
 

Further Reading
How to Set Limits on Screen Time
Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages
How Phones Ruin Concentration
Common Sense Media
American Association of Pediatrics

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Candice Odgers, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, whose research focuses on adolescent mental health and the role of smartphones and social media in kids’ daily lives. Together, they discuss what the evidence does — and does not — show about technology and youth mental health, and why the most popular explanations are not always the most accurate. 
In this episode, they cover: 
• What current research can tell us about the relationship between smartphones and social media and adolescent mental health — and why correlation does not necessarily prove causation 
• How adult anxiety about technology can shape the way we talk about kids 
• Why family conflict, school stress, and peer relationships are still central factors affecting youth mental health 
 
Key takeaways 

• The research on social media and youth mental health is more complicated than many headlines suggest. 
• Many studies show associations between screen use and mental health symptoms, but that does not mean screens are the primary cause. 
• Family conflict, pressure to succeed at school, peer stress, and caregiver mental health are major factors that affect young people’s well-being. 
• Tech companies should be held accountable, but blaming social media alone can distract from other urgent supports kids and families need. 
• Parents can help kids more effectively by investing in relationships, routines, school support, and open conversations rather than focusing only on restrictions. 
 
Further reading
What We're Getting Wrong About Teens and Tech
Screen Time & Technology
Does Social Media Use Cause Depression?
How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers
Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages
How Much Should You Monitor Your Teen’s Social Media?

In this Q&A episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson answers listener questions inspired by last week’s conversation with Dr. Alfiee about youth mental health, community care, and what it really means to help young people thrive.

Dr. Dave discusses how parents can talk with kids about mental health without making them feel like something is “wrong” with them, how to help children process stressful news and current events, and how families can think about social media in a balanced way. He also explores the mental health needs of marginalized kids, how to reduce stigma around therapy — especially for boys and young men — and why community support can make parenting feel less isolating.
 

In this episode, Dr. Dave covers:
What to do when kids are stressed by politics, current events, or frightening news
How to balance concerns about social media with the belonging some kids find online
What parents should understand about the mental health needs of marginalized kids
How to reduce stigma around therapy, anxiety, depression, and asking for help
Why boys and young men may need extra support talking about emotions
Realistic ways to build community around parenting and caregiving
What parents can do while waiting for therapy or additional support

Further Reading
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Helping Children Cope With Frightening News
Mental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ Kids
Mental Health Support for Black Families
Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Black Adolescent Boys
What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious
Video Library
Family Resource Center