The YouSchool Podcast Scott Schimmel

In this episode, we explore the critical issue of guiding your kids to become thoughtful, self-aware individuals in the age of social media. Join Scott Schimmel, President and Chief Guide of The YouSchool, as he shares insights and practical advice on how to help your children navigate the digital world wisely.

Key Takeaways:

- Is keeping your kids away from social media the answer?- The real impact of social media on both adults and children.- Personal story: How a dream vacation led to an eye-opening realization about FOMO.- The hidden threats of social media on kids' identity formation.- Practical steps to cultivate critical thinking and conscious living in your children.- Introduction to our Tech Healthy Parenting course.

Timestamps:00:03 - Is keeping kids off social media the answer?01:00 - Introduction to guiding kids through social media.02:00 - The distraction and distortion caused by social media.03:00 - Personal story: Experiencing FOMO on a dream vacation.04:30 - The impact of social media on adults vs. children.05:30 - The existential threat of social media's hidden messages.06:30 - Practical steps for parents to help kids navigate social media.07:30 - Introduction to the Tech Healthy Parenting course.

Resources Mentioned:

Tech Healthy Parenting CourseJonathan Haidt's ResearchJean Twenge's Insights

Connect with Us:

Visit our website: theyouschool.comFollow us on Instagram: @TheYouSchoolLike us on Facebook: The YouSchool

About Scott Schimmel:Scott Schimmel is the President and Chief Guide of The YouSchool. With over two decades of experience guiding young adults into intentional, conscious living, Scott shares his expertise on helping parents and children navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Subscribe for More Content:If you found this episode helpful, make sure to subscribe to our channel, give this video a thumbs up, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss any future episodes. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

Transcript Highlights:

Scott Schimmel (00:03.06): Is keeping your kids away from social media the answer? Absolutely for a while, but eventually they're going to have to operate in this world. The whole point of parenting is to guide your kids to become critical thinkers as they participate in the world through social media so that they're not distracted and their life isn't distorted by the messages that are coming through.

Scott Schimmel (02:00): Advertisers have used scare tactics and scarcity to sell throughout time, and it's really no different in social media. I’m a grown man, and yet I am so distracted by the messages that come through media, particularly social media.

Scott Schimmel (03:00): I remember being in Maui, the absolute vacation of our dreams for my wife and I. One day, I scrolled through social media and saw another family on a trip in Zion National Park. Suddenly, I felt bad that we weren't there instead, even though I was in my favorite place in the world.

Scott Schimmel (04:30): If I, with my achievements and stability, can feel worse because of social media, how much more will this happen to a kid who hasn't formed a life yet?

Scott Schimmel (06:30): Eventually, your kids will have access to social media. The key question is whether they will be mindful and self-aware, able to think critically, or if they will be victims of the false messages telling them they're not enough.

Scott Schimmel (07:30): At The YouSchool, we've designed the Tech Healthy Parenting course to help parents navigate these issues. By consuming media with your kids and discussing the underlying messages, you can guide them to be thoughtful and wise.

Remember to check out our Tech Healthy Parenting course to help you and your kids navigate the digital world effectively!

Summary

In this conversation, Tyler and Scott discuss the harmful impact of cell phones on children's development and social media. They explore three specific topics: the negative effects of phone distractions on kids' ability to focus, how parents can model better behaviors and break the addictive cycle, and the psychological impact of peers having phones on a child's identity development. They emphasize the importance of teaching kids to focus and engage in deep work, setting boundaries and explaining the reasons behind them. They also discuss the impact of phone distractions on relationships and the need for presence in face-to-face interactions.

Takeaways

Cell phones have a harmful impact on children's development and social media.

Parents should model better behaviors and break the addictive cycle.

Phone distractions affect kids' ability to focus and engage in deep work.

Setting boundaries and explaining the reasons behind them is important.

Phone distractions also impact relationships and the need for presence in face-to-face interactions.

Episode 121:

Social media distorts reality and undermines the values we teach our kids. It promotes the fallacies of accumulating resources, building a resume, and impressing others. However, research shows that kids need a well-grounded identity, an authentic community, and a sense of purpose. Social media can lead to worse mental health and prevent kids from reaching their potential. Parents need to help their kids see through the distortion and teach them that their value is not determined by social media metrics. A course called Tech Healthy Parenting is being developed to provide parents with the tools to navigate social media with their kids.

Takeaways


Social media distorts reality and promotes false ideas about success and happiness.
Kids need a well-grounded identity, an authentic community, and a sense of purpose to thrive.
Parents should help their kids see through the distortion of social media and teach them their true value.
A course called Tech Healthy Parenting is being developed to support parents in navigating social media with their kids.

 

Episode 121 Summary:

Scott Schimmel explores the importance of helping children identify their natural skills and talents in order to build a fulfilling career. Scott shares personal experiences of how external validation and affirmation played a significant role in discovering his own skills. The biases of parents in shaping their children's career paths are discussed, as well as the danger of prioritizing financial success over personal fulfillment. He emphasizes the need for a narrative-based approach to help young people identify their skills and make better decisions. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to share their own experiences and regrets.

Takeaways


Helping children identify their natural skills and talents is crucial for building a fulfilling career.
External validation and affirmation can play a significant role in discovering one's skills.
Parents should be aware of their biases and avoid shaping their children's career paths based on their own desires or financial considerations.
A narrative-based approach can help young people gain clarity about their skills and make better decisions. Sharing stories of regret and missed opportunities can help guide young people towards self-discovery and fulfillment.

Description: In this episode of The YouSchool podcast, we dive into the challenging yet essential conversations parents need to have with their children about their future. From discussing college options to career paths, these talks are crucial for helping kids prepare for adult life. We'll share proven strategies to improve your communication, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety—a concept developed by Harvard’s Amy Edmondson. Discover how sharing your personal stories of self-discovery can create a supportive environment, enabling your child to express their thoughts freely, make mistakes without fear, and feel confident in exploring their future options.

Key Takeaways:


Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where your child feels safe to express themselves, make mistakes, and know they are supported.
Personal Stories: Sharing your own experiences of self-discovery and decision-making to normalize mistakes and reinforce your support.
Effective Communication: Strategies to improve communication with your child about their future, regardless of their personality or default mode.
Parental Guidance: Understanding the high stakes involved in your child’s future decisions and the intertwined nature of your fates.
Reducing Anxiety: Techniques to alleviate both your anxiety and your child’s apprehension about discussing future plans.

Transcript Excerpt: "Every kid needs help to prepare for adult life—even if they’re sending messages to you that they want to figure it all out on their own. A lot goes into that preparation, and the chief among them are the decisions regarding college and career. Chances are, they aren’t coming to you regularly for advice, but they are ready to take notes and soak up your pearls of wisdom. In fact, they might be telling you the exact opposite: 'Leave me alone; I know what I’m doing and what needs to be done.' But you and I both know the stakes are too high to take them at their word."

Chapters 00:00 Foundation for Meaningful Conversations with Teenagers

03:26 Creating Psychological Safety for Teenagers

05:50 The Three Essential Ingredients for Psychological Safety

08:15 Parents as Guides for Teenagers' Future Exploration

Sound Bites


"Having conversations with teenagers about their future is more important than anything else."
"Psychological safety is the foundation for teenagers to explore their opportunities and options."
"Psychological safety includes allowing teenagers to be themselves and make mistakes."

Tune in for our expert insights and practical advice on navigating these pivotal conversations with confidence and care.

Summary
In this episode, Scott Schimmel discusses the importance of social skills for young adults and how parents can help their children develop these skills. He emphasizes the need for modeling and demonstrating good social skills, putting kids in challenging situations to learn, giving feedback without shame or criticism, and occasionally scripting conversations to provide guidance. The episode highlights the significance of social skills in both personal and professional life and encourages parents to actively teach and support their children in developing these skills.

 
 Takeaways

Social skills are essential for young adults to succeed and thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Parents can help their children develop social skills by modeling and demonstrating good social skills themselves.
Putting kids in challenging situations allows them to learn and practice social skills.
Giving feedback without shame or criticism helps children improve their social skills.
Occasionally, scripting conversations can guide and support children in social situations.