Parents and caregivers may have a lot of worries about their teens using social media, from encountering harmful content to cyberbullying. But what do teens themselves say about how social media affects them day to day?

In this episode of Thriving Kids, Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with Dr. Linda Charmaraman a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and founder and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab. Dr. Charmaraman's research follows kids from middle school into high school. She shares what teens say actually helps their well-being (social support, finding community, learning, exploring identity) and what tends to hurt (peer dynamics, exclusion, comparison, and hits to self-esteem).

They also talk about what works at home:

• Keep screens out of bedrooms and protect sleep
• Use screen limits to support daily life, not as punishment
• Stay curious so your kid keeps talking
• Focus on relationship quality and communication, not perfect control

The key message for every kid: No matter what happens online — even if it’s embarrassing or scary — you can come to your parent, and they will help you through it.

Further reading

• The Family Media Plan – American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• When Are Kids Ready for Social Media? – Child Mind Institute
• How Phones Ruin Concentration – Child Mind Institute