Welcome to vod.ai, where we turn research into actionable insight—fast. In this powerful episode, hosts Mike and Susan tackle one of the most urgent public health issues of our time: the link between screen time, social media, and rising mental health challenges in adolescents and young adults.

Drawing from the latest longitudinal studies and large-scale data, they break down:
• Why teens are now averaging 8.5 hours of non-educational screen time daily
• The causal link between increased social media use and depressive symptoms
• How passive scrolling fuels anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
• Why direct messaging doesn’t carry the same psychological risks
• The neuroscience behind platform addiction—slot-machine-style reward loops
• The devastating impact of evening screen use on sleep and emotional regulation
• Practical steps for users, families, and platforms—including value-sensitive design and family media plans

This episode isn’t just a warning—it’s a toolkit. If you’re a parent, educator, policymaker, or digital native yourself, the message is clear: it’s not just about how much we use social media—it’s about how we use it.

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