Dr. Lena Agree logo featuring her name and title as a licensed psychologist, emphasizing professional psychological services.Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and Associates

Helping Your Teen Thrive: Balancing Technology and Mental Health

Young woman sitting on a bench, focused on her smartphone, illuminated by colorful lighting, reflecting themes of technology and its impact on emotional health.

The Negative Effects of Technology on Teens – and How to Help

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Written by Aleena Hellebyuck, MA, CAADC-DP Learn how social media, screen time, and online culture are shaping your teen’s emotional health and what you can do to help them build balance, resilience, and self-esteem in a digital world. The Digital World Teens Are Growing Up In Technology is woven into nearly every aspect of modern teenage life. From smartphones and social media to gaming and streaming platforms, adolescents are living in a world that’s always online. While digital tools provide connection and creativity, they can also contribute to anxiety, comparison, and overstimulation,  all of which affect emotional well-being and development. As a therapist, I often hear parents say, “I don’t even recognize my child anymore — they seem anxious, withdrawn, or distracted…

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Person in black attire sitting on a concrete ledge, symbolizing contemplation and emotional struggles related to mental health, relevant to Prince Harry's therapy journey.

How to Talk to Your Teenagers So They’ll Actually Listen and Love You

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Your child’s brain grows until about age 25. During the teenage years, the brain undergoes vast neurological changes. Parenting teenagers through this storm of dramatic mood swings and behavior shifts may sometimes seem impossible. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert. If you take an active interest in your teen’s mental experience, and seek to understand him with sensitivity and genuine curiosity, you will maintain access to his internal world while contributing to his emotional resilience. Engage, empathize, investigate Perhaps the most important step you can take when you notice distress in your child is to stop what you are doing, give her your full attention, and empathize with her feelings. (This does not require you to agree with the reasons, or even fully understand…

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