259: Why Is My Teen So Snarky?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Mental Health, Kids & Family, Health & Fitness, Parenting

4.7 • 824 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Is your teen’s snark just “normal attitude”… or could it be something more serious? If you’re walking on eggshells around a constantly irritable, sarcastic teenager and wondering whether this is just adolescence or a red flag not to ignore, you’re not alone. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, Dr. Lisa Damour helps parents make sense of the exhausting, confusing reality of teen snark and explains when it may actually be a sign of depression that needs real attention. Drawing on decades of clinical experience working with adolescents and families, Dr. Lisa breaks down why depression often looks very different in teens than it does in adults, and how easy it is to miss when irritability gets written off as “typical teen behavior.” Alongside co-host Reena Ninan, she offers clear, grounded guidance for parents who are worried, worn down, and unsure what to do next. 💡 YOU’LL LEARN: - Why teen depression often shows up as snark, hostility, and irritability - How to tell the difference between normal teen attitude and mood changes that are concerning - How phone use and sleep deprivation and can worsen or mimic depression - Why meaningful busyness and structure can improve mood and reduce irritability - When it’s important not to “wait it out” and move toward professional evaluation and support If you’re dealing with a snarky teenager, this episode will help you feel more confident, informed, and grounded in your next steps—while keeping your teen’s long-term wellbeing front and center. ________________ Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens is the essential podcast for parents seeking expert guidance, tested strategies, and psychological insights on raising kids, especially tweens and teens. Join renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and former journalist and mom of two Reena Ninan as they explore real-life parenting challenges. Looking to learn more about how to boost kids’ resilience, build their confidence, or support their emotional well-being? Dr. Lisa and Reena have got you covered! Together they address listener questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures, and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy kids. Tune in every week for the latest topics in parenting, child psychology, and family wellness. Get answers to your most pressing parenting questions. New episodes drop every Tuesday. ________________ Episode keywords: teen snarky behavior, snarky teenager, irritable teen, teen irritability, why is my teen so snarky, why is my teenager so rude, is teen snark normal, teen attitude vs depression, teen depression irritability, depression in teenagers signs Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tell me a parenting issue everyone struggles with with tweens and teens, but no one talks about.
0:06.6	Rina, I think a lot of people feel like they just don't know how to connect to their kid anymore.
0:12.8	I'm Rina Nainan and welcome to Ask Lisa the psychology of raising tweens and teens.
0:17.6	And I'm Dr. Lisa DeMore.
0:19.1	We bring you science-back strategies for managing anxiety, discipline, intense emotions, and more.
0:24.6	We decode tough parenting issues with tips you can use right now.
0:28.6	So subscribe to Ask Lisa the psychology of raising tweens and teens and join our YouTube community today.
0:35.6	Just Google, Ask Lisa Podcast.
0:38.0	We're here to help you untangle family life.
0:43.2	Episode 259, why is my teen so snarky?
1:00.1	Well, that was quite an episode last week on smutty fan fiction, Lisa.
1:01.4	Yeah.
1:02.4	Well, have you checked it out?
1:03.2	Have you taken a look?
1:06.0	I, you know, can I tell you the silliness? Like, I am now worried that if I start looking at that site, that it's going to change the algorithm in my home and start pushing stuff to my kids that they're unaware of.
1:15.9	All right.
1:16.3	So maybe you need to go to some internet, go to some internet cafe, Rina, and like have it.
1:21.8	I've at it with this fan fiction.
1:24.8	Well, I just don't want to change my opinion of Harry Potter, too. There's that. Yeah, there's that. There's also that. So we talked a little bit about that. You know, what I loved about our conversation last week was still the topic of sex, you know, and how do you approach it and talk about it? But today, we're moving on to another S, snark.
1:50.7	So many kids are so snarky, and you have presented a whole other reason to be as to why they potentially could be.
1:53.8	So I want to read you this letter that we got from a listener.
1:59.0	Dear Dr. Lisa, my 15-year-old daughter is snarky, like really snarky.
	...

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