All About You With Dr Shauna Watts

Teens, Tech and Temptation: Understanding Addiction and the Adolescent Brain - David Gillespie

Listen Later

In this episode, Dr Shauna is joined by David Gillespie - lawyer, tech entrepreneur and best-selling author of numerous titles, including ‘Teen Brain’, a deep dive into the teenage addictions that result from modern day technology.


From online gaming, to gambling, social media and pornography, why are teenagers more susceptible than adults to succumbing to addiction - and what can parents do to stop it?


In this episode, Dr Shauna and David discuss:

  • Overview of his career journey as an author and what led to writing ‘Teen Brain’.
  • How is a teenage brain, different to an adult brain?
  • Addiction: when can this occur?
  • Why are teenagers so susceptible to become addicts?
  • Dopamine hackers: what does this term describe?
  • The dangers of social media, video games and gambling apps and why they are so addictive.
  • The biochemistry of the human brain and how this links to addiction.
  • Chasing rewards vs running away from danger.
  • The different types of dopamine hits and what actions cause us to receive them.
  • What makes the online video game Fortnite so addictive?
  • Social media as an oxytocin simulator.
  • The importance of receiving feedback when it coms to dopamine simulation.
  • The effects dopamine hits have on the brain’s ability to assess risk.
  • Expectations vs the reality of rewards.
  • How does addiction tie into anxiety and depression? What dopamine and ADHD?
  • What should parents be doing to try and change these patterns of anxiety and depression in teenagers?
  • How can you break an addiction? How long does it take?
  • Personal experiences with teenagers and mobile phones.
  • But what about phones and iPads as educational devices? What role do schools have to play?
  • Vaping and the impact exposure is having on young children and teenagers.
  • Online gambling: how can parents help prevent this from becoming a problem for their kids?
  • What about pornography addiction?
  • Suicide in teens: what do the studies show about trends within Australia?
  • Bullying and technology: what impact has this had for kids?
  • Parent perceptions of what’s going vs the child’s reality.
  • How can you tell if your child is depressed or anxious?
  • Tips to help parents with kids who are struggling with these addictions.
  • What can you do to produce dopamine, naturally?
  • What surprised David most as he was writing ‘Teen Brain’.
  • Advice for any teenagers listening: what can you do to help yourself?
  • A piece of advice for his 20-something self.


    • For more information and resources from David:

    Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix.

    Visit his website, grab a copy of ‘Teen Brain’, ‘Taming Toxic People’, ‘Brain Reset' or one of his numerous other best-selling titles. Keep an eye out for his new book, which is coming soon!


    David Gillespie has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from The University of Queensland. He has a Masters degree in Law, writing his thesis in applied technology.


    Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

    Podcast Website: ⁠www.allaboutyoupod.com⁠.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts
    https://www.instagram.com/drshaunawattsgp
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-watts-a903a5247
    Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    All About You With Dr Shauna WattsBy Dr Shauna Watts
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    6 ratings

    More shows like All About You With Dr Shauna Watts

    View all
    Well Beyond 40 by JJ Virgin

    Well Beyond 40

    1,088 Listeners

    HOT For Your Health by Dr. Vonda Wright

    HOT For Your Health

    145 Listeners

    Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely by Discussions on women's health, the peaceful passage of menopause, peri-menopause and hormonal balance for all women.

    Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely

    290 Listeners

    Health By Heather Hirsch by Heather Hirsch

    Health By Heather Hirsch

    203 Listeners

    Better! with Dr. Stephanie by Dr. Stephanie Estima

    Better! with Dr. Stephanie

    591 Listeners

    You Are Not Broken by Kelly Casperson, MD

    You Are Not Broken

    923 Listeners

    The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

    The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

    1,341 Listeners

    Hack My Age by Zora Benhamou

    Hack My Age

    87 Listeners

    This Is So Awkward by Peoples Media, This Is So Awkward

    This Is So Awkward

    319 Listeners

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

    The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

    1,133 Listeners

    Hello Menopause! by Let's Talk Menopause

    Hello Menopause!

    79 Listeners

    The Metabolism and Menopause Podcast by Stephanie Crassweller

    The Metabolism and Menopause Podcast

    171 Listeners

    Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones by Dr. Sameena Rahman

    Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones

    26 Listeners

    Save Yourself With Dr. Amy Shah by Dr. Amy Shah

    Save Yourself With Dr. Amy Shah

    138 Listeners

    The Tamsen Show by Tamsen Fadal / Authentic Wave

    The Tamsen Show

    243 Listeners