Ep. 304: 10 Digital Rules Every Parent Needs – with Dr. Jean Twenge

Parenting Great Kids with Dr. Meg Meeker

Dr. Meg Meeker

Kids & Family, Education, Parenting, Self-improvement

4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens.

Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World, including:

Delay smartphone use until kids drive
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
Set daily screen limits and enforce them
Openly discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and online content

These rules help reclaim childhood from the grip of technology.

While tech is here to stay, balance is possible. Dr. Twenge emphasizes proactive parenting—being aware, staying involved, and not being afraid to set firm boundaries.

As Dr. Meeker reminds listeners, protecting kids' mental health is worth every hard conversation about screens, apps, and smartphones.

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Learn More About Dr. Jean Twenge’s Research

Stay up-to-date with Dr. Twenge’s latest studies on technology and generational psychology and check out her new book here.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The weight is over. Dive into Audubles' most anticipated collection, the best of 2025, featuring top audiobooks, podcasts, and originals across all genres. Our editors have carefully curated this year's must-listens, from brilliant hidden gems to the busiest new releases.
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0:38.8	Discover why there's more to imagine when you listen at audible.com slash best of the year.
0:42.6	On today's episode of Parenting Great Kids.
0:49.1	These algorithms on social media are so powerful. The companies support billions into making their products. They would call them as engaging as possible, but what many people would say is as
0:54.0	indicative as possible. Welcome to Parent people would say is as addictive as possible.
0:55.6	Welcome to Parenting Great Kids. Here's your host, Dr. Meg Meeker.
0:59.9	We talk about kids and technology a lot on this podcast, and for good reason, just when you think
1:05.9	you've figured it out, the new platform app or trend comes along that changes the game. And that's why this
1:12.2	conversation is always worth revisiting. Joining me today is Dr. Gene Twangy, psychologist, researcher,
1:20.4	and mom of three. And she's here to share insights from her new book, 10 rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World.
1:30.4	Dr. Twangy, thank you so much for coming on today.
1:34.4	Thanks so much for having me on.
1:36.9	Now, you've been studying the impact of technology on kids for a long time.
1:42.4	So from your perspective, what is the biggest change in
1:47.4	childhood and parenting that smartphones and social media have brought about?
1:53.9	You know, it's just how much these devices have taken over our kids' lives. Because it used to be that the fight a parent would have would be about,
2:03.8	you're spending too much time watching TV, you're spending too much time in the gaming console.
2:07.4	Now it's those and 10 other devices and it's a much larger amount of time.
	...

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