Episode 2221 – On this Friday’s show, Vinnie Tortorich speaks to Dr. Lisa Strohman about how some technology and social media have led to kids being “half-baked”, how much of it creates disconnection not connection, the ill effects of certain social media, and more.
HALF-BAKED
- Vinnie welcomes Dr. Lisa to the show, who is the author of two books, Unplug and Digital Distress.
- Vinnie starts by telling Dr. Lisa about what he observed at the gym recently when a young man literally couldn’t put his phone down. (2:30)
- So many people are dependent on their phones, but he doesn’t want his life ruled by a 2″ x 4″ piece of glass! (7:00)
- Vinnie says kids are “half-baked” and what he means by that.
- Dr. Lisa agrees; kids do not have a real sense of self without having external affirmation; as a result, everything is distorted. (8:00)
- Kids don’t understand tech as a mere tool.
- She has witnessed the psychology behind the use of certain technology.
- Dr. Lisa talks about the psychological profiling of the two teens behind the Columbine shooting in 1999. (11:40)
- This is a mental health problem–the disconnect is very real; many kids don’t even know how to make eye contact. (17:20)
- She reviews some of the issues that impact kids at younger and younger ages.
- The addiction-reward neural pathway is getting activated early on.
- Vinnie shares an uncomfortable story about a teen he used to know years ago. (19:40)
- Dr. Lisa shares what she knows about how insidious “ad bundles” lure kids in. (23:20)Â
DISCONNECTED
- They also chat about what they observe at places like restaurants, as well as how body image and filters are distorting reality and expectations. (30:00)
- The conversation turns to social media and the messages people see and respond to. (53:30)
- Vinnie gives the example of treatment between Lizzo vs. Adele.
- They chat about trending and how being negative gets you seen more; there is desperation to be relevant.
- The art of conversation, connection, and communication are getting lost.
- Vinnie asks Dr. Lisa what we can do. (47:30)
- Dr. Lisa gives several examples, including what she has done with her children.
- Many parents have given up because it’s easier to hand over the device than to step up.
- She explains how devices are stealing children away from their parents.Â
- They also discuss the hyper-sexualization of girls and boys at younger ages and how they become brazen in their behavior. (52:45)
- Dr. Lisa and Vinnie talk about some of the trends, and how they affect standards of behavior towards one another, especially sexual behavior.
- They transition to the early days of online dating and today’s online culture of dating apps and what it means to “swipe.” (1:05:00)
- She talks about how some of her clients she see often deal with emotional issues from rejection.
- Ghosting is rude.
- Vinnie invites Dr. Lisa back as this is her specialty–dealing with the psychological challenges of tech and life online.
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