Pew Research Center findings show many parents and teens think it’s harder being a teen today than it was 20 years ago. They point to technology, especially social media, as having a particularly negative impact on teen life. But how can parents and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ease the pressures on today’s youth and help them to flourish during their teen years?

Laura Padilla-Walker, dean of Family, Home and Social Sciences at Brigham Young University, has pondered this question in her research as she focuses on parenting and media influences during adolescence and young adulthood. Padilla-Walker joins this episode of the Church News podcast to help parents and leaders discover how positive behaviors can both replace and protect against negative behaviors and how sacred living strategies can help families stay stronger and happier. 

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.