Do you remember when your biggest worry as a kid was whether you’d make it home before the streetlights came on? 🚲 We used to run around, play baseball all day, and ride our bikes like we owned the town. Now, our kids’ world is very different, dominated by screens and social media, and it’s leading to a mental health crisis. 😔

On Morning Air, John Morales sat down with Theresa Civantos Barber to talk about the alarming rise in childhood anxiety and what we, as parents, can do to help. Theresa shared some sobering facts, but also practical steps to help our kids find balance and peace of mind.

So, what’s going on?

Starting around 2010, as Gen Z grew up with the internet, there’s been a skyrocketing rise in anxiety and depression in young people. This generation is struggling with mental health in ways that cut across all demographics. Much of the blame, Theresa explains, lies in the increase in screen time and the addictive nature of social media. The U.S. Surgeon General even referred to it as a public health crisis.

Here’s the irony: while we’re overprotecting our kids physically, we’re under-protecting them when it comes to screens. We don’t let them ride around the neighborhood like we did, but they’ve got unfettered access to social media—often to their detriment. 😕

Theresa shared four powerful steps from psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation:

No Smartphones Before High School 🚫📱

Kids’ brains aren’t ready for the addictive nature of smartphones before high school. Theresa’s personal rule? No smartphone until they can drive—and need Google Maps! Seriously, it’s about protecting their minds during these crucial growing years. (If you can hold out longer, even better!)

No Social Media Before Age 16 ❌💻

Theresa and John both emphasized how damaging social media can be for self-esteem and mental health, especially when kids are too young to handle it. It’s like handing them the keys to adulthood before they’re ready! If possible, work together with other parents to create a supportive environment.

No Phones at School 📵🏫

This one’s spreading across school districts nationwide! Keeping phones out of the classroom allows kids to focus, connect in person, and be kids. Simple rules like storing phones in lockers can create a much-needed screen-free zone during the day.

Give Them More Independence 🌱🛠️

The hardest one to measure, but probably the most important: give your kids room to fail and learn. Let them pack their own lunch, run errands, or order food at a restaurant. These small moments of responsibility prepare them for the real world and help reduce anxiety.

Theresa reminded us that when kids aren’t allowed to make small mistakes or take risks, they grow up feeling helpless and anxious when they finally gain independence. We have to let them build those life skills early on.

So, what can you do? 🚶‍♂️ If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this “screen-based childhood” we’ve stumbled into, don’t worry—you’re not alone. It starts with small steps: limit screen time, encourage more outdoor play, and build a community of like-minded parents to support each other. And most importantly, give your kids room to grow, even if it means a few scraped knees along the way.

Let’s get back to letting kids be kids!

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