~156~"Teens, Screens, AI and Social Media: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Dr. Sajita Setia"

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In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens Advice Redefined, Cheryl sits down with Dr. Sajita Setia, physician, digital well-being researcher, and evidence-based educator, for a much-needed conversation about raising teenagers in a world shaped by screens, algorithms, social media, and AI.

Parents today are navigating a reality none of us grew up in. Teens are building friendships online, forming identity through digital spaces, and living in a world where their nervous systems rarely get a break. So how do parents protect their teens without pushing them away? How do we guide without controlling? And how do we create homes that feel calm, connected, and grounded in a world that never seems to turn off?

Dr. Sajita breaks down what digital well-being actually means in real life, not just in theory. She shares practical, evidence-based strategies to help families reduce harm, improve sleep, protect mental health, strengthen connection, and create healthier relationships with technology.

Cheryl and Dr. Sajita explore the emotional pull of screens, the dopamine-driven design of social media and online gaming, the risks of emotional dependency on AI, and the importance of teaching teens digital boundaries before problems escalate. They also talk about why connection is the most powerful protection parents can offer.

This episode is full of honest insight, compassionate truth, and practical tools every parent needs right now.

In this episode, we cover:

• What digital well-being means for teens and families
• How screens and algorithms affect teen mental health and nervous systems
• Why the old advice about screen time hours is outdated
• How to set phone and device boundaries without hovering
• Why no phones in the bedroom is one of the most important family rules
• The connection between dopamine, social media, online gaming, and compulsive screen use
• How to help teens build healthier offline sources of reward and belonging
• Why delaying smartphones and social media can matter
• The dangers of sharenting and posting children online
• How AI is shaping teen life in both helpful and harmful ways
• Why emotional reliance on AI can interfere with healthy development
• The importance of digital detox, digital sunsets, and better sleep habits
• How online predators and manipulative digital spaces can target vulnerable children
• Why parent-child connection remains the strongest form of protection

Key takeaway:

The answer is not fear, shame, or total control. The answer is connection, curiosity, boundaries, and intentional parenting in a digital world.

Connect with Dr. Sajita Setia:

Website: https://sajitasetia.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drsajitasetia/

Be sure to check the show notes and episode description for Dr. Sajita’s website and social platforms, where she shares education and tools for parents raising teens in today’s digital world.

Work with Cheryl:

Cheryl Pankhurst is an educational strategist, family advocate, speaker, published author, and founder of Insight to Impact. She helps families navigate school challenges, diagnoses, IEPs, transitions, and teen advocacy with clarity and confidence.

Visit CherylPankhurst.com to learn more about consulting and her 90-day advocacy program.

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