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“There’s a big exam on Friday. Will I get invited to the party? Will I even get into college?” There are so many things bouncing around our teens’ heads. No wonder anxiety is at an all-time high. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss why anxiety and depression are affecting so many teens today.

Teens today are carrying enormous emotional pressure, often silently. Dads play a critical role in helping teens feel safe, understood, and supported as they navigate anxiety, stress, and emotional struggles.

• Teen girls often feel intense pressure around appearance, relationships, and perfection.
• Teen boys frequently hide anxiety because they fear looking weak or vulnerable.
• Doomscrolling and nonstop exposure to negative content can increase anxiety and emotional stress.
• Emotional struggles are not always obvious, especially in quiet or high-performing kids.
• Dads need to prioritize listening, empathy, and emotional safety over simply “fixing” problems.

1.    Listen and empathize first.
Don’t minimize your teen’s feelings, even if their worries seem small to you. Their experiences are real to them.

2.    Create emotional safety.
Let your kids know they can talk honestly without fear of judgment or shame.

3.    Teach that stress is normal.
Help teens understand that challenges, pressure, and setbacks are part of life and can build resilience.

4.    Avoid rescuing too quickly.
Support your kids through struggles without solving every problem for them.

5.    Pay attention to hidden anxiety.
Quiet kids and boys especially may hide emotional struggles behind silence, anger, or withdrawal.

6.    Limit unhealthy influences.
Monitor social media, doomscrolling, and comparison-heavy content that increases emotional pressure.

7.    Teach healthy coping mechanisms.
Encourage exercise, sleep, deep breathing, positive thinking, outdoor activity, and face-to-face relationships.

8.    Reinforce value outside performance.
Help your teens know they are loved for who they are, not just what they achieve.

Important Episode Timestamps 

 [00:00] Why Are So Many Teens Struggling with Anxiety and Depression? 
Ted introduces the episode's central question and sets up a practical conversation for any dad raising an anxious child. 

[00:40] Did You Struggle with Anxiety Growing Up?
BJ, Bobby, and Ted share their own middle and high school anxiety stories.

[02:54] What the Research Says About Anxiety in Teen Boys vs. Girls
Pew Research found that anxiety and depression rank as the top struggle for both boys and girls, making it vital dads learn how to help kids with anxiety.

[04:22] Girls and Boys Experience Anxiety Differently 
Girls face unique pressures around appearance, comparison, and performance, while boys deal with anxiety in other areas.

[08:19] Why Dads Must Create a Safe Space for Sons to Talk About Anxiety 
Ted shares how he discovered his son's anxiety through a family friend and makes the case that dads must know how to help sons with anxiety.

[09:28] Social Pressure, Bullying, and the Peer Comparison Trap 
BJ and Bobby break down how fitting in, physical and social bullying, and the pressure to keep up with peers quietly fuel anxiety.

[11:25] How Doomscrolling Is Making Teen Anxiety Worse
BJ explains why Harvard Health research shows girls are hit harder by doomscrolling than boys.

[13:17] The Chemical Reality: Why Teen Girls Can Become Anxious About Being Anxious 
Bobby shares research from the Child Mind Institute explaining how puberty and emotional sensitivity can cause girls' anxiety to compound while boys' tend to bottle things up.

[15:03] Listen, Empathize, and Normalize Anxiety Instead of Trying to Fix It 
The dads walk through what it actually looks like to show up for an anxious kid.

[19:22] The Pro Move
Ask your teen, “What gives you the most anxiety right now, and how do you usually deal with it?” Then listen carefully, empathize honestly, and resist the urge to immediately fix the problem.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 2 – How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?

Episode 111 – What Should I Do When My Kids Are Scared?

5 Ways Parents Cause Their Teens Anxiety

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Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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