Targeted & Trapped?

The Dr. Phil Podcast

Dr. Phil McGraw

Mental Health, Self-improvement, Society & Culture, Education, Health & Fitness

4.4 • 13.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 January 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Nearly 40% of young Americans, aged 18–22, are addicted to social media, leaving many feeling targeted and trapped.

Tonight, Dr. Phil explores the link between excessive use and mental health struggles. “Doom Scrolling”, “FOMO”, “Likes” and “Follows” these are things that keep pre-teens, teens and early 20-somethings focused on their phones. In fact, nearly 40% of young Americans, aged 18 to 22, are reportedly ADDICTED to social media, leaving many feeling Targeted and Trapped. A recent study from San Diego State University, shows that 7-out-10 teens, who spend over 5 hours a day on social media, are more likely to struggle with suicidal ideation. So tonight, Dr. Phil sits down with parents who are taking on the social media giants after losing their son and several teens who get candid about what drives their anxiety, depression and potentially darker thoughts.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Doomscrowing, FOMO, likes, and follows.
0:02.3	These are things that keep teens focused on their phones.
0:05.5	Social media just consumed him.
0:07.5	He was on his phone 20 hours a day.
0:09.1	Their son took his own life due to what they claim
0:11.7	was a social media addiction.
0:13.6	And when they made the tragic discovery,
0:15.5	his phone was still in his hand.
0:17.8	There will be days where I can't even get out of bed.
0:20.1	Teens get candid about their struggles with anxiety, a real eye-opening conversation.
0:25.6	Dume scrolling, FOMO, likes, and follows.
0:38.3	These are things that keep teens and early 20-somethings focused on their phones.
0:44.3	In fact, nearly 40% of young Americans, age 18 to 22, are reportedly addicted to social media,
0:51.3	leaving many feeling targeted and trapped.
0:56.2	California just joined New York in passing a state law aimed at safeguarding children
1:01.5	when it comes to social media access.
1:04.4	Why?
1:05.4	Well, a recent study from San Diego State University shows that seven out of ten teens
1:10.0	who spend over five hours a day on social media
1:13.1	are more likely to struggle with suicidal ideation.
1:17.3	So tonight several teens get candid about what drives their anxiety, depression, and potentially
1:24.1	even darker thoughts.
	...

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