Oprah Daily Insiders have an exclusive intention every week, with a focus on topics such as letting go, forgiveness, and self-discovery. This week’s topic is the ongoing crisis in teen mental health. The challenges that young people face in today’s world are eye-opening, including the dangers of social media, the pressures of selfie culture, and the constant lure of smartphones.
In a recent “The Life You Want” Class, Oprah invited guests like NYU professor Jonathan Haidt and author of The Anxious Generation. Haidt highlighted how Generation Alpha is struggling as the first to grow up with advanced technology. He noted the imbalance in protecting kids offline while leaving them vulnerable online. Dr. Becky Kennedy, a parenting expert, also spoke about the negative impact of excessive smartphone use on adolescents, depriving them of real-world experiences and the value of delayed gratification.
If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, Oprah hopes that these insights from the class will provide you with valuable knowledge on how to support and guide the young people in your life. Share your thoughts on the class in the comments below and have a great week ahead!