554546288429728 Your Teen Isn’t Broken (But Their Screen Habits Might Be): What Every Parent Needs to Know About Teens, Tech + Brain Development - The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Episode 186

full

Published on:

15th May 2025

Your Teen Isn’t Broken (But Their Screen Habits Might Be): What Every Parent Needs to Know About Teens, Tech + Brain Development

Feel like you’re constantly battling your kid over screen time?

Wondering if their love of Roblox, TikTok, or skincare influencers is harmless—or harmful?

Overwhelmed by all the fear-based headlines about what tech is doing to your kid’s brain?

Same. That’s why this week’s episode is a must-listen.

Dr. Whitney sits down with Erin Walsh—social scientist, parenting expert, and author of It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence—to dig into what’s really going on with our kids and their screens. Spoiler: It’s not as simple as “just take the phone away.” But it’s also not a free-for-all.

Erin breaks down the science of the developing adolescent brain, the real risks of screen time (especially around body image), and what we actually need to be focusing on as parents. This conversation will leave you feeling smarter, calmer, and better equipped to make the best decisions for your unique kid—without shame or overwhelm. See the full show notes here.

Did you know we have a new project at Modern Mommy Doc focused on Body Confidence for kids? Check out www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com now.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

RSS Feed

Show artwork for The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

About the Podcast

The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Giving modern working moms the tools, resources, and information they need to win at parenting and work without losing themselves.

Wouldn't it be great to find a podcast for the Modern Working Mom that addresses life as a mom, life as a working mom with an ambitious career and life as a mom who wants to also have time for her own life? That is what the Modern Mommy Doc podcast is all about.
We live in a world where we are supposed to raise kids as if we don't work and work as if we don't have kids (and don't even mention that we may also want to fit in some time for ourselves to read a book or take a SoulCycle class.)
Everyone has an opinion on what it takes to be the perfect Working Mom in today's society. Most of the advice is unattainable, anxiety-provoking and certainly doesn't address how the modern working mom is supposed to make time for her own life. The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast helps working moms say "no" to unrealistic expectations for a perfectly-balanced life and say "yes" to what really matters. You'll hear inspiring interviews with experts in each of the core areas modern working moms who parent with intention know are critical for success –dreaming big, spending time on things that matter, making space for themselves, investing in their mental and physical health, parenting in partnership, and being intentional about the way they parent their kids.
Your host is Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. She's a Stanford-trained, board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, blogger @modernmommydoc, mom of two and avid Peloton-er. Drawing on her own experience as a working mom in the modern world, she's curated a group of expert guests to help you find the credible advice you're looking for when it comes to taking care of your child, your career and yourself.
We live in an era filled with so many questions around Working Mom Life and finding balance. On the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, you'll find the focused answers you've been looking for to truly have it all.

About your host

Whitney Casares

Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP is a pediatrician and a mom to two young girls in Portland, Oregon. Every day, she tries to balance taking care of work, her kids, and herself, laughing at the craziness of the early years with young ones.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Journalism, she completed her medical school training at The University of Vermont and her pediatrics residency training at Stanford University. She also holds a Masters of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from The University of California, Berkeley. She cares for children and adolescents as a full-time, Board-certified pediatrician in Portland, Oregon. Her passion is helping parents find their way to confidence and success as they raise their kids.

Being a modern parent is a challenge and an adventure – Dr. Casares knows it first-hand. She developed Modern Mommy Doc to inspire, educate and encourage moms and dads so they can win at parenting without losing themselves.