Kaitlin Tiches | Helping Kids Use Social Media Safely

Kaitlin Tiches is a Medical Librarian and Knowledge Manager at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, where she tracks research on children, social media, screen time, and digital wellbeing and translates it into practical guidance for parents and educators. Kaitlin joins Marlon to discuss how parents can help kids and teenagers use social media in healthier, safer ways. Together, they explore how algorithms influence what young people see, why "digital natives" still need digital literacy skills, and how strict screen-time rules and social media bans can sometimes backfire. They also share practical advice for setting parental controls, modeling healthy technology habits, talking to kids about online safety, and creating an open relationship where children feel comfortable asking for help. Keep up with the Digital Wellness Lab: https://digitalwellnesslab.org Read foundry10's white paper: The State of Social Media Literacy Education in the United States: Insights from a Nationally Representative Survey of U.S. High School Students Head to thishelpspodcast.com/ask Record your "Marlon Helps" question, and you might be featured in an episode of This Helps This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. 🔗 Stay connected with the podcast! Instagram: @thishelpspodcast For business: hello@thishelpspodcast.com 🔗 Stay connected with the podcast host, Marlon Morgan, Founder & CEO of Wellness Together Instagram: @mrmarlonmorgan LinkedIn: Marlon Morgan 📢 Know someone extraordinary who should be featured on This Helps? Visit https://www.thishelpspodcast.com/joinus and tell us all about it. 📓 FREE online mental health training at our Wellness Education Lab. WELLNESS EDUCATION LAB™ (WEL) is practical and empowering online mental health training. Each module offers three different versions for three unique audiences: students (13+), parents/guardians, and educators/school staff. Parents/guardians modules are also available in Spanish. ⛵️ Wellness Together is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation providing mental health services for students (K-12 and University), families, and educators on campus and online. Our mission is to deliver mental health support & programming to advance mental health awareness, advocacy, and access for everyone. NOTE: If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911. If you or someone you know needs to speak with someone immediately, call or text The Lifeline at 988.