In this first expert interview of our mini-series on teens and tech, we are jumping right into the issue that is on everyone’s mind: social media and adolescent wellbeing. If you want rigid rules and prescriptive guidelines, this may not be the episode for you. But if you are hoping for thoughtful and evidence-based insights, Dr. Linda Charmaraman from the Youth, Media, and Wellbeing Research Lab at Wellesley College is the perfect guide.

Erin talks to Dr. Linda Charmaraman about:

• Why adolescence is a time brimming with possibility - not just risk
• Why research on the “average adolescent” may not always be the most helpful for you and your teen
• The power of near peers in changing digital habits
• The surprising thing that bubbles to the top of the list of concerns for this leading expert

Featured Expert:

Dr. Linda Charmaraman - https://www.wcwonline.org/Active-Researchers/linda-charmaraman-phd

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Resources discussed in this episode can be found here: sparkandstitchinstitute.com/podcast

Connected & Courageous is a podcast of Spark & Stitch Institute with production support from Beth K. Gibbs at Lift Podcasting.